Effect of Different Methods of Fertilizer Application and Varying Tillage Conditions on Growth and Yield of Horse Gram

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at agronomy farm of Dr. B.S.K.K.V., Dapoli during rabi season of 2012-2013 to study the effect of different methods of fertilizer application and varying tillage conditions on growth and yield of horse gram. The field experiment was laid out in a split plot design. The main plot treatments comprised four tillage conditions viz., minimum tillage (drilling), conventional tillage with drilling, conventional tillage with dibbling and zero tillage (dibbling) and sub plot treatments comprised four methods of fertilizer application viz. absolute control, 100% RDF (soil application), 25% RDF (foliar application) and 50% RDF (foliar application). Thus, there were in all sixteen treatment combinations replicated three times. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy clay loam in texture, medium in available nitrogen, low in phosphorus, medium in available potassium, medium in organic carbon and slightly acidic in reaction. The result revealed that tillage treatments involving conventional tillage with dibbling and conventional tillage with drilling was found significantly superior over rest of the treatments but at par with each other and recorded higher growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and straw yield. Among the methods of fertilizer application viz. 100% RDF (soil application) and 50% RDF (foliar application) significantly influenced growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and straw yields. These methods were found significantly superior over remaining treatments but statistically identical with each other.