IMPACT OF VARIOUS BIOSTIMULANTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF BUTTER BEAN (PHASEOLUS LUNATUS L.) CULTIVAR KKL 1 IN POLYHOUSE CONDITIONS

Butter beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.) are prized for their significant nutraceutical benefits, which are crucial in addressing malnutrition in developing countries.Given their nutritional advantages, global cultivation demand is increasing.This study aims to boost production and improve crop quality through effective agronomic practices.To minimize dependence on synthetic chemicals, the study investigates the use of biostimulants as an alternative, offering a promising method for enhancing crop growth and performance.The experiment took under polyhouse condition (G) condition at Horticultural & Forestry Research Station, Kodaikanal from December 2023 to June 2024.Various biostimulants were applied foliarly in different doses: Control (B 1 ) Seaweed extract at 3% (B 2 ) and 5% (B 3 ), Panchagavya at 3% (B 4 ) and 5% (B 5 ), Vermiwash at 5% (B 6 ) and 10% (B 7 ), and Fulvic acid at 6g/l (B 8 ) and 9g/l (B 9 ), each replicated three times.Among the treatments, B 3 (Seaweed extract 5%) was most effective in all growth, yield and quality parameters under polyhouse conditions, including plant height (104.86 cm, 147.87 cm, 176.50 cm, 254.82cm at 45, 60, 90 DAP, final plant height respectively), days to flower emergence (50.52 days), number of pods per plant (96.33), pod length (12.57cm), pod girth (4.12 cm), pod weight (15 g), pod yield (1.53 kg/plant), number of seeds per pod (6.02), fresh seed yield (364.12 g/plant), and dry seed yield (245.30 g/plant) followed by Panchagavya 3% as the second best treatment was observed.The control group (B 1 ) showed the lowest values in all parameters.