Effect of Biochar and Vermicompost on Cowpea Productivity: (vigna unguiculata l.) Productivity Soil Quality Arid Regions

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of levels of biochar and vermicompost on cowpea productivity and soil quality of arid region of Rajasthan comprising four levels each of biochar (0, 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0 t ha-1) and vermicompost (0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 t ha-1) was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner during kharif, 2024. On the basis of results of present study it may be concluded that application of biochar and vermicompost coupled with recommended dose of chemical fertilizers significantly enhance cowpea productivity and improve soil quality in study area. Use of biochar @ 1.5 t + vermicompost @ 2.0 t ha-1 along with recommended dose of fertilizers (20:32:0 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1) had significant effect on productivity of cowpea, improvement in soil health and attaining higher monetary returns in arid region of Rajasthan.