Growth and Yield Response of Lentil Cultivars to Phosphorus, Zinc and Biofertilizers

Abstract

AbstractA field experiment was conducted to study the growth and yield responses of lentil cultivars to phosphorus, zinc and biofertilizer application on a sandy loam soil during the winter seasons of 1989–90 and 1990–91 at the farm of Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. The two lentil cultivars used in the study were Microsperma (JL 1) and Macrosperma (Lens 4076) and the biofertilizers were Rhizobium and VAM fungi. Results showed that higher values of LAI, root nodulation, yield attributes (number of pods plant−1, number of grains pod−1 and grain yield plant−1), grain yield and harvest index were obtained from JL 1 whereas plant height and 1000 grain weight were higher in Lens 4076. Application of 17.2 kg Pha−1 as single superphosphate (SSP) along with 5 kg Znha−1 as zinc sulphate resulted in marked improvement in growth and yield attributes, grain yield and harvest index when compared with the 17.2 kg P as rock phosphate (with and without Zn) and the control treatments. Combined inoculation of Rhizobium and VAM fungi resulted in improved growth and yield attributes, grain yield and harvest index when compared with inoculation of either of the inocula at a time.