Long-term assessment of organic nutrient management on the productivity, resilience, and profitability of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) in the North Eastern Region, India

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is a protein-rich crop that provides food, fuel, and income for smallholders in the Northeast Hill (NEH) region, where resources are limited. However, its low yield necessitates an effective organic nutrient management strategy to improve productivity in light-textured, acidic soils. To address this issue, an experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Lembucherra, Tripura, over five consecutive kharif seasons (2019–2023). The study comprised six treatments, including four combinations of farmyard manure (FYM) at 4 t/ha and vermicompost at 2 t/ha, supplemented with Trichoderma and Pseudomonas at 2.5 kg/ha each. These were compared against a recommended dose of fertilizer and an untreated control. The highest yield (1.15 t/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (2.65) were observed in the treatment combining FYM at 4 t/ha with Pseudomonas at 2.5 kg/ ha, while the lowest yield was recorded in the untreated control. The study indicated that treatments with organic manure significantly improved residual organic carbon and primary nutrient levels compared to the control. FYM enriched with biofertilizers proved economically viable, offering a sustainable solution for marginal pigeonpea farmers in the NEH region to enhance crop growth and yield.