Effect of Seed Pelleting with Rhizobium and Nutrition Management on Growth Parameters of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

An experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (Factorial) with different pelleting material i.e. no pelleting (P1), Rhizobium liquid (P2), Rhizobium powder (P3) and Rhizobium liquid with jaggery (P4) and 5 levels of nitrogen application i.e. 0% N of RDF(F1), 40% N of RDF (F2), 60% N of RDF (F3), 80% N of RDF (F4) and 100% N of RDF (F5), altogether 20 treatment combinations of seed pelleting and nitrogen replicated thrice to find out effect on growth parameters i.e. emergence %, days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod of cowpea cv. Himachal Lobia-1. Among different pelleting treatments, seed pelleting with Rhizobium liquid exhibited better results over other treatments and all growth parameters affect significantly by pelleting treatments. Different level of nitrogen application also had significant effect on growth parameters. 80% N of recommended dose of fertilizer was best treatment over other treatments. Interaction effect of seed pelleting and nitrogen application was non-significant on growth parameters except number of branches per plant. Maximum number of branches was found in P2F4 (Rhizobium liquid + 80% N of RDF) treatment.