Maximizing the productivity of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) by irrigation regimes and foliar application of biostimulants

A field experiment was conducted on clay soils at College Farm, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Baburayanpettai, during the summer of 2024 to evaluate maximizing the productivity of green gram by irrigation regimes and foliar application of biostimulants. The experiment was designed with a split-plot design and replicated three times. The study involved three primary irrigation levels in main plots, viz., 50% ETc (M₁), 75% ETc (M₂), and 100% ETc (M₃), and irrigation was given at 10 days intervals based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Additionally, four biostimulant treatments were adopted in subplots, viz., foliar spraying of 5 L ha^-1of plant-based biostimulant, namely Pepto (S₁), 2% seaweed extract (S₂), 2% humic acid (S₃), and 2% DAP (S₄), which were applied to 30 and 45 DAS. The experiment results revealed that among the irrigation treatments, 100% ETc (M₃) irrigation level significantly outperformed the other irrigation treatments in enhancing growth, physiological yield parameters, and nutrient uptake. In terms of irrigation of 100% ETc (M₃) and biostimulants, the application of 2% seaweed extract (S₂) twice, at 30 and 45 DAS, led to significantly increased growth and yield. This was closely followed by irrigation of 100% ETc (M3) and 2% humic acid (S3) treatment, which also showed substantial benefits compared to the other biostimulant treatments.