Effect of a soil moisture retentive material on yield, quality and nutrient accumulation in cowpea and water retention in soil

摘要

Cowpea (Vigna unguinculata (L.) Walp) is an important legume crop of Maharashtra that is usually grown on residual soil moisture. To increase water use efficiency and reduce irrigation water frequency in cowpea, a soil moisture retentive material "AllPurpose Spray Adjuvant-80 (APSA-80~(TM))" was tested and standardized for its effect on yield, growth, nutrient accumulation, saving of irrigation water, and moisture retention at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths in a lateritic soil of Konkan under cowpea (var.Konkan Sadabahar). Treatment receiving APSA-80~(TM) at 2 mL/L and irrigation at 20 d intervals gave maximum yield of cowpea, retained maximum moisture content, and improved available nutrient status in the studied soil.