EVALUATION OF BLACKGRAM GENOTYPES UNDER PUDDLED TILLAGE: IMPACTS ON YIELD, SOIL FERTILITY, AGROMETEOROLOGICAL INDICES, AND ECONOMIC VIABILITY

Abstract

An experiment was performed to evaluate the response of blackgram genotypes under puddled tillage, focusing on yield, post-harvest soil available nutrients, agrometeorological indices, and the economics of blackgram. The experiment was implemented in RBD includes seven genotypes, replicated three times. Among the yield attributes, genotype VBN 11 recorded the highest test weight, while ADT 7 exhibited the highest number of pods plant-1, seeds pod-1, seed yield, and haulm yield. Regarding nutrient uptake, ADT 7 also showed the highest assimilation of NPK. In terms of post-harvest soil status, the N and K levels were non-significant among genotypes but increased compared to the initial soil status. In contrast, phosphorus (P) showed significant differences, with the highest value recorded in genotype VBN 8, though it decreased compared to the initial soil status. For agro-meteorological indices, genotypes ADT 7 and VBN 11 displayed higher values for growing degree days (GDD), photothermal units (PTU), helio-thermal units (HTU), and heat use efficiency (HUE) compared to other genotypes. In terms of economics, the genotype ADT 7 (T3) recorded the highest gross income, net income, and a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.83. Based on the results of this study, genotypes ADT 7 and VBN 11 demonstrated superior performance in yield attributes, yield, agrometeorological indices, and economics of blackgram under puddled tillage during the relay pulse season in Tamil Nadu.