Effect of Effective Microorganism Application on Crop Growth, Yield, and Nutrition in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek in Different Soil Amendment Systems

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted in heat-sterilized soil to evaluate the effect of effective microorganism (EM) application on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek var. NIAB Mung 98 in different soil amendment systems. Pot soil was amended with farmyard manure (FYM), Trifolium alexanrinum L. crop residues (TCR), and half (½NPK) and recommended dose (NPK) of chemical fertilizers. The EM application significantly enhanced shoot and root biomass in TCR-amended soil. However, grain yield was significantly enhanced in FYM, TCR, and NPK amendments by 24%, 15%, and 84%, respectively, as a result of EM application. Effect of EM application on nutrient uptake was variable with respect to soil amendment and plant growth stage. In general, EM application enhanced plant nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) nutrition in organic amendments while its effect was either negative or insignificant in chemical fertilizer amendments. Effects of EM application on plant nutrient uptake were more pronounced at maturity than at flowering stage.