Effect of fertilizer levels and NPK consortia on nutrient uptake and yield of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif 2024 at the Research Farm, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, to study the effect of fertilizer levels and NPK consortia on nutrient uptake and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.). The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications and sixteen treatment combinations comprising four fertilizer levels [Control, 50% RDF (10:20:20), 75% RDF (15:30:30), and 100% RDF (20:40:40) kg NPK ha⁻¹] and four biofertilizer treatments (Control, Rhizobium @ 750 g ha⁻¹, NPK consortia @ 1250 ml ha⁻¹, and Rhizobium + NPK consortia). The results revealed that application of 100% RDF (20:40:40 NPK kg/ha) significantly enhanced nutrient uptake, and yield of cowpea compared to lower fertilizer levels. The highest values of grain yield (785 kg/ha), nitrogen uptake, phosphorus uptake and potassium uptake were recorded under 100% RDF. Among biofertilizer treatments, Rhizobium + NPK consortia significantly improved nutrient uptake and yield attributes, with maximum grain yield.