Impact of multi-nutrient foliar fertilization on yield and nutrient uptake of green gram

Green gram and other pulse crops are particularly vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies, particularly in specific soil types or when intensive farming methods are used. Applying multiple nutrients guarantees that the plants get the components they need for optimum growth and development. Multi-nutrient applications, particularly foliar spraying can greatly increase green gram yield, growth and nutrient uptake; improving crop productivity as well as possibly increasing net returns. To develop a foliar multi-nutrient schedule for enhancing the productivity and nutrient uptake of green gram under irrigated conditions, the experimental trials were conducted in the Rabi season of 2019–2021 (two years) using a randomized block design (RBD) that was replicated three times at the Regional Research Station (RRS), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur of Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. The RRS Farm comprises of Lithic Haplustepts soils from the Vannapatti series, which are characterized by non-calcareous sandy loam. In the experimental trial, green gram (var. VBN 4) was grown as test crop and TNAU-Water Soluble Fertilizers with or without combination of liquid multi-micronutrient (LMMN) and humic acid (HA) sprayed twice at vegetative and flowering stages. Among the different combination of foliar spray, applying TNAU-WSF (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University water soluble fertilizer) @ 2 % with LMMN @ 1 % and HA @ 1 % recorded higher SPAD value, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and nutrient uptake that enhanced significantly higher green gram yield (1102 kg/ha) and achieved a 32 % higher compared to application of 2 % DAP spray.