Optimizing Pigeon Pea Productivity: A Study on Growth, Nutrient use Efficiency and Economics under Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

Background: The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has led to soil degradation and declining soil health. To address this issue, integrating organic sources with chemical fertilizers could be a sustainable approach which helps to restore soil fertility while enhancing crop productivity. Methods: The research trial was conducted at Instructional Farm of Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, during the late Rabi season of 2024-25 with eleven different treatments. The treatment included various integrated nutrient management practices by combining vermicompost and farmyard manure with synthetic fertilizers. Result: The results revealed that higher plant height (108.4 cm), Dry matter production (4644 kg/ha), Grain yield (827 kg/ha) and haulm yield (2664 kg/ha) was obtained with the application of 75% RDF with 25% N equivalent of vermicompost. Higher net gain and added cost was recorded in the application of 100% RDF + FYM @12.5 t/ha conversely higher gross return and added return was observed in the application of 75% RDF with 25% N equivalent of vermicompost.