Effect of Split Application of Nitrogen on Productivity, Profitability and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Garden Pea (Pisum sativum L.) under Dry Temperate Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

A field experiment comprising of six treatments viz. N0 (control), N20 (20 kg N/ha as basal), N40 (40 kg N/ha as basal), N20+20 (40 kg N/ha in two equal splits, half as basal and another half as top-dressing at 30 DAS), N60 (60 kg N/ha as basal) and N30+30 (60 kg N/ha in two equal splits) was conducted at Highland Agricultural Research and Extension Centre, Kukumseri during summer 2013 to study the effect of split application of nitrogen on growth, yield, economics and nitrogen use efficiency in garden pea. N at 60 kg/ha in splits gave taller plants while the shorter plants were under control. Basal application of 40 kg N/ha proved to be the best treatment for increasing productivity and profitability of garden pea in cold desert region of Himachal Pradesh. The highest dry matter production (5166 kg/ha) was recorded at N40. Maximum dry matter efficiency (0.83%/day), unit area efficiency (4.31g/m²/day), green pod weight (4.3g/pod) and productivity (43.13 kg/ha/day) were recorded at N40. The highest green pod yield (3666 kg/ha) was at N40 which was 120 and 62.9% higher over N0 and N20, respectively. Maximum nitrogen use efficiency (50 kg green pod/kg N), gross returns (99150/ha), net returns (62859/ha), B:C ratio (2.73) and profitability (Rs. 740/ha/day) were also at N40. There was no benefit of using N in splits in pea in this drier tract of the state.