Effect of Phospho Enriched Compost and Zinc on Productivity and Nutrient Uptake of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) in Sub-humid Southern Hills and Aravalli Region of Rajasthan

Abstract

Background: Phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) are essential plant nutrients and their deficiency in soils has the adverse effect on the crop productivity, moreover the antagonistic effect of P on Zn is also important study aspect. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to study the effect of phospho enriched compost and zinc on productivity, nutrient content and uptake of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) in Sub-humid Southern Hills and Aravalli region of Rajasthan. Methods: The experiment was undertaken during Kharif 2018 at Rajasthan College of agriculture, Udaipur (Rajasthan). The treatments comprised of four levels of phospho enriched compost (PEC) i.e. control, PEC @ 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 t ha-1 and four levels of zinc i.e. control, Zn @ 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications.Result: The increasing levels of phospho enriched compost and zinc upto 4 t ha-1 and 4 kg ha-1, respectively increased significantly (P=0.05) the number of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, test weight, seed yield, stover yield, nutrient content (N, K and Zn) and uptake (N, P, K and Zn) in seed and stover of blackgram. Whereas, the application of zinc significantly decreased the phosphorus content in seed and stover as compared to control. However, the combined application of phospho enriched compost @ 6 t ha-1 along with zinc @ 6 kg ha-1 was found to record higher seed and stover yield. The application of phospho enriched compost @ 4 t ha-1 and zinc @ 4 kg ha-1 along with the recommended dose of fertilizer results in significantly higher productivity, nutrient content and uptake of blackgram under Typic Haplustepts soil.