• Integrated Nutrient Management for Sustainable Productivity and Profitability of Pigeonpea

The excessive and indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers over the years has resulted in soil degradation, nutrient imbalances, and a gradual decline in overall soil health, which in turn has negatively impacted crop productivity and sustainability. To overcome these challenges, the integration of organic nutrient sources such as vermicompost and farmyard manure (FYM) with chemical fertilizers has been identified as a viable and eco-friendly strategy to restore soil fertility, improve nutrient use efficiency, and sustain agricultural productivity. Vermicomposting originated in the mid-20th century as a sustainable method of organic waste management, utilizing earthworms to convert biodegradable materials into nutrient-rich compost. It gained prominence in countries like the USA and India for improving soil fertility and crop productivity. A field experiment was carried out during the late Rabi season of 2024–25 at the Instructional Farm of Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore. The field trial consisted of eleven treatments comprising various combinations of inorganic fertilizers with vermicompost and FYM under an integrated nutrient management in the cultivation of pigeon pea. The findings revealed that the application of 75% of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) supplemented with 25% nitrogen equivalent through vermicompost substantially enhanced plant growth attributes, dry matter accumulation, grain yield, and haulm production compared to the sole application of fertilizers. In terms of economics, the highest net gain and additional cost were achieved with full RDF integrated with FYM, whereas the combination of 75% RDF with vermicompost resulted in higher gross and added returns. These results clearly demonstrate that INM practices not only boost productivity and profitability but also play a crucial role in maintaining long-term soil health and sustainability in crop production systems.