Impact of phosphorus management on protein content, protein yield and economics of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L. Walp] in loamy sand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jefa.2026.21.1.29Keywords:
Cowpea, economic returns, mycorrhiza, phosphorus management, protein content.Abstract
A field experiment on loamy sand soil was conducted to evaluate the impact of different phosphorus management combinations on yield, protein content and economic returns in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). The study involved nine treatments, including various combinations of inorganic phosphorus (P2O5), enriched compost, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and mycorrhiza. Among these, the treatment comprising 30 kg P2O5 ha-¹ + enriched compost (1 t ha-¹) + mycorrhiza (T9) recorded the highest protein content (23.58%) and protein yield (353.12 kg ha-¹). The lowest values were observed in the absolute control (T1). Economically, the highest benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 3.69 was achieved with T6 (30 kg P2O5 ha-¹ + PSB). However, T9 resulted in the maximum seed yield (1497 kg ha-¹), gross realization (` 111,561 ha-¹) and net returns (` 75,223 ha-¹), with a BCR of 3.07. The integration of inorganic phosphorus with enriched compost and mycorrhiza (T9) proved to be the most effective strategy, offering synergistic benefits in terms of productivity, quality and profitability. This integrated nutrient management approach is recommended for sustainable cowpea cultivation under loamy sand conditions.
Downloads
References
Dikr, W. & Abayechaw, D. (2022). Effects of phosphorus fertilizer on agronomic performance, grain yield and physiological traits of selected legume crops. Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, Department of Agronomy and Crop Physiology, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
FAO (2016). Pulses: Nutritious seeds for a sustainable future. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
Jayathilake, C., Visvanathan, R., Deen, F., Bangamuwage, R., Jayawardana, B., Nammi, S., Liyanage, R. & Ruvini, R. (2018). Cowpea: An overview of its nutritional facts and health benefits. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 98, 4793–4806.
Kadam, Kalegore & Patil, S. (2014). Effect of phosphorus, vermicompost and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on seed yield, yield attributes and economics of black gram (Vigna mungo L.). International Journal of Innovative Research & Development, 3, 1–5.
Kumawat, N., Sharma, O.P. & Kumar, R. (2009). Effect of organic manures, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and phosphorus fertilization on yield and economics of mungbean. Environment and Ecology, 27, 5–7.
Pathak, S., Mohanty, S., Jain, N. & Bhatia, A. (2010). Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium budgets in Indian agriculture. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 86, 287–299.
Patra, P., Pati, B.K., Ghosh, G.K., Mura, S.S. & Saha, A. (2013). Effect of biofertilizers and sulphur on growth, yield and oil content of hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in a typical lateritic soil. Journal of Crop and Weed, 9, 603–607.
Singh, G.K., Yadav, D.D., Siddiqui, M.Z., Kumar, J., Singh, V., Prajapati, S.K., Lal, C., Singh, A. & Verma, S. (2022). Effect of FYM, phosphorus and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of kharif greengram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 12, 1362–1370.
Tiwari, K. (2001). Phosphorus needs of Indian soils and crops. National Agricultural Technology Information Centre, New Delhi, India.
Wahid, F., Sharif, M., Steinkellner, S., Khan, M.A., Marwat, K.B. & Khan, S.A. (2016). Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in the presence of rock phosphate improves phosphorus uptake and growth of maize. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 48, 739–747.
