Effect of different nutrient sources on growth, yield parameters and nutrient dynamics of green gram using pot experiment and RDF in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu

Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) is an important pulse crop valued for its protein content, nitrogen-fixing ability, and contribution to sustainable agriculture. A pot culture experiment was conducted at PGP College of Agricultural Sciences, Namakkal, during June-September 2025 to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth, yield, and nutrient dynamics of green gram. Eight treatments comprising control, recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with farmyard manure (FYM), sludge, vermicompost, and press mud compost at 75% and 100% RDF levels were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with four replications. Growth parameters (plant height, leaf area, biomass) and yield attributes (pod length, pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight) were recorded, while soil nutrient availability (N, P, K) was assessed at periodic intervals. Results revealed that 100% RDF + Sludge (T₄) significantly outperformed all other treatments in terms of growth, yield, and sustained nutrient release, followed by 100% RDF + Vermicompost (T₆) and 100% RDF + FYM (T₂). The control (T₁) recorded the lowest performance. The findings highlight that integrating organic sources with RDF, particularly sludge, enhances soil fertility, nutrient dynamics, and green gram productivity.