Influence of Pusa Hydrogel and Foliar Nutrient Spray on Rainfed Soybean in Northwest Himalayan Region

Abstract Soybean is an important oilseed crop, cultivated all over the world. In India, it is cultivated on an area of 12.2 million hectares with a production of 13.5 million tons and productivity of 1.5 tons ha-1 (Directorate of Economics and Statistics, 2022). The national productivity of soybean (1.5 ton ha-1) is quite lower followed the world average (5.56 ton ha-1). (FOASTAT, 2022). One of the reasons for low productivity in soybean cultivation can also be attributed to insufficient soil moisture and erratic distribution of rainfall being experienced on account of global climate change. The other reason for soybean yield losses is an inadequate supply of nutrients . To provide a solution to the problems of the present dryland Agriculture, water-saving materials need to be used besides being the assured supply of nutrients. Thus, the present study was undertaken to investigate combined effect of Pusa hydrogel (an indigenous product that was created to increase crop productivity per unit of available nutrients and water, especially in agriculture under moisture stress) and foliar nutrient sprays to increase productivity and conserve available soil moisture. Application of Pusa hydrogel level H3 5.0 kg ha-1 and F4 Thiourea 500ppm recorded significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of leaves , number of branches , leaf area index (LAI) while with respect to yield and yield attributing characters Pusa hydrogel H3 5.0 kg ha-1 and F5 Vermiwash (1:10) ratio resulted significantly higher seed yield of soybean