P. BHASKER, P. K. GUPTA, S. S. BORADE, C. TIWARI AND G. SURESH
Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, Regional Research Station, Nashik-422003 (Maharashtra), India
National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, Regional Research Station, Karnal-132 001 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: bhaskarhau@gmail.com)
(Received: 24 December 2025; Accepted: 12 March 2026)
SUMMARY
Finding a sustainable crop nutrient management system is vital to restoring sustainable soil health without compromising yield potential from existing fertilizer resources while excessive chemical fertilizers application hazards to soil environment. In the light of this background, the present study assess the advantages of using organic manures apply to the soil as a sustainable way to replace the chemical fertilizers quantity while maintaining growth and development of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). Two years field studies were conducted as part of all India coordinated research project on vegetable crop during kharif season on variety Kashi Kanchan. Nine treatments were used in the experiment replicated three times and arranged in randomised block design. The outcome of the two years experimental data impart that the application of poultry manure at 2.5 t/ha along with 50% recommended dose of NPK through chemical fertilizers proved superior in growth parameters plant highest plant height (69.43 cm) and branches (7.05/ plant). The yield contributing factors, number of pods per plant, green pod length, green pod girth and green pod yield (175.35 q/ ha) were recorded significantly higher in the same treatment, the results were found that growth and yield parameters exhibited at par with application of neem cake at 2.5 q/ha along with 50% recommended dose of NPK through chemical fertilizers. The highest gross returns, net returns and benefit cost ratio (2.0) were also recorded in poultry manure at 2.5 t/ha along with half recommended dose of NPK through chemical fertilizers. Based on two years results concluded that an integrated nutrient management program using alternative application of both organic and chemical fertilizers recommended for achieving higher economical returns of cowpea and environmentally safe.
Key words: Neem cake, organic fertilizer, poultry manure, soil fertility, vermicompost