Effect of Phosphorus and Sulphur Levels on Growth and Yield of Summer Greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.] in Middle Indo-gangatic Zone

Abstract

Background: Phosphorus has been pointed out as one of the most important nutrient in pulse production which is responsible for vegetative growth, reproduction and consequently yield of greengram. Sulphur element is important for crop growth and development especially in pulses. At present, 42% of indian soils have been found to the sulphur deficient, sulphur is essential for synthesis of proteins, vitamins, in pulse crops. Methods: The field investigation was carried out at research farm of TCA, Dholi, muzaffarpur Bihar during summer season 2019. The treatment comprised 3 levels of phosphorus and 3 levels of sulphur along with absolute control. Result: The result revealed that application of 60 kg phosphorus/ha significantly increase the plant height, plant dry matter, crop growth rate and yield indices viz number of pods/plant, length of pod, number of grains/pod and 100 seed weight than 20 kg phosphorus/ha and control but was found at par with 40 kg phosphorus/ha. Sulphur levels also had significantly influenced on these growth and yield indices and recorded higher values 30 kg sulphur/ha found at par with 20 kg sulphur/ha and significantly higher over 10 kg sulphur/ha and control. Application of 60 kg phosphorus/ha significantly enhanced the grain and straw yield over 20 kg phosphorus/ha and control but was found at par to 40 kg phosphorus/ha. Among the sulphur levels grain and straw yield increased significantly up to 20 kg/ha sulphur further increase in sulphur level fail to caused significantly effect on grain and straw yields. All the phosphorus and sulphur level had significant impact on grain and straw yields over control. Similar trend was also observed with harvest index also. Optimum dose of phosphorus and sulphur for summer greengram was worked out to be 51 and 24.5 kg/ha respectively.