Optimising foliar fertilisation for enhanced growth and yield in black gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Black gram is an important pulse crop with a good source of protein and promotes soil fertility because of its nitrogen-fixation property. However, its production is limited in terms of nutrient deficiencies and poor fertilisation practices. Foliar nutrition, with the direct application of nutrients to leaves, serves as a potential way to increase the absorption of nutrients and productivity. Still, its applicability in black gram cultivation for food security and sustainable agriculture needs further studies. A field study was carried out at S. Thangapazham Agricultural College, Tamil Nadu, India, from May to July 2022 during the summer season. The study used black gram variety VBN 8 arranged in a randomised block design comprising ten treatment combinations. These treatments included the application of recommended fertiliser doses with foliar sprays, such as 1% TNAU Pulse Wonder and 2% diammonium phosphate, etc., applied at 30 and 45 days after sowing. Plant height, number of root nodules, dry matter production, and grain yield, analysed statistically. Application of foliar nutrients significantly improved black gram performance. The treatment combining the recommended fertiliser dose with 1% TNAU pulse wonder produced the tallest plants (38.4 cm), the highest root nodule count (28.5 per plant), the greatest dry matter (4670 kg/ha), and maximum grain yield (932 kg/ha). Dry matter production was the primary yield determinant, explaining nearly all yield variation in the regression analysis. These findings demonstrated that foliar nutrition enhanced the nutrient efficiency and yield under rainfed conditions, offering a practical strategy for sustainable pulse production.