Productivity enhancement in black gram through refinement of nutrient management under rice fallow condition

Field experiment was conducted during rice fallow season (January-March), 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of DAP application to preceding rice in last irrigation and foliar nutrition to black gram on the productivity and profitability of black gram(ADT 3) under rice fallow condition. The results indicated that application of DAP at 50 kg/ha to preceding rice in last irrigation and foliar spray of DAP (2 per cent) and KCl (1 per cent) at 30 and 45 days after sowing to black gram registered higher plant height (24.6 cm) at 20 DAS number of pods per plant (18.4), grain yield (639 kg/ha), net returns (Rs.22290/ha) and additional income (Rs. 7563/ha). Application of DAP at 50 kg/ha in last irrigation to preceding rice produced significantly higher grain yield of succeeding black gram (613 kg/ha.) over control (488 kg/ha) which was comparable with foliar application of 2 per cent DAP and 1 per cent KCl to black gram. With reference to return per rupee invested, application of DAP at 50 kg/ha to preceding rice in last irrigation registered higher benefit cost ratio of 3.56 in black gram.