Effect of zinc and iron on yield and yield attributes of rainfed cowpea (vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2002, 2003 and 2005 to study the effect of zinc and iron on yield and yield attributes of rainfed cowpea ( Vigna unguculata L. Walp) at Main Pulses Research Station, S.D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar on loamy sand soil. The results revealed that the application of ZnSO4@ 25 kg ha-1 through soil proved to be most effective and increased the seed yield by 43.0% when compared with control followed by the spraying of 0.5% ZnS04 at 25 and 45 DAS. The increase in yield was due to increase in number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight and number of branches per plant. The highest net return (Rs. 13,114 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.97) were obtained with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1.