Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity and economics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 2007-08 to 2009-10 at Jobner, India on loamy sand soil to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, productivity and economics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). The experiment consisted of fourteen combinations of integrated nutrient management practices for application of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) to fenugreek i.e., 40 kg/ha, through different sources, viz., control, inorganic or organic [farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), vermicompost (VC) and neem cake (NC)] alone or in combinations was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Based on three years of study the results revealed that application of all nutrient management treatments through organic and inorganic sources alone or in combination brought significant effect on growth, yield and economics of fenugreek. Further the results revealed that integration of 50% RDN through vermicompost (VC) + 50% RDN through inorganic source to fenugreek recorded higher plant height, branches/plant, pods/plant, seeds/pod, test weight, seed yield (1781 kg/ha), stover yield (3392 kg/ha), biological yield (5173 kg/ha) and net returns (Rs. 52151/ha). However, maximum benefit cost ratio was fetched with application of 100% RDN through inorganic source.