Influence of phosphorus and bio-inoculants on performance of french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2015-16. The experiment was laid out in complete randomized design with four levels of phosphorus (0, 11, 22 and 33 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil) and three levels of bio-inoculants (uninoculed, Rhizobium and Rhizobium + PSB) and three replications. Results revealed that application of 22 mg P2O5 kg-1 significantly increased the plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-1, pods size and number of grains pod-1 and it was at par with 33 mg P2O5 kg-1. However, 33 mg P2O5 kg-1 showed significant increase over the lower phosphorus levels with respect to number of pods plant-1, grain and stover yields. Dual inoculation with Rhizobium + PSB significantly increased plant height, number of branches and leaves plant-1, number of pods plant-1 and pods size over control, while Rhizobium alone was at par with control on these parameters. Rhizobium significantly increased the grain and stover yields over control while Rhizobium + PSB had significant effect over control as well as Rhizobium alone. Interaction effects revealed that highest grain and stover yields were obtained with 33 mg P2O5 kg-1 without inoculation and inoculation with Rhizobium, but yield was at par with 22 mg P2O5 kg-1 when crop inoculated with dual inoculants (Rhizobium + PSB). Application of 33 mg P2O5 kg-1 resulted in the highest content of nitrogen and phosphorus in grain and stover whereas 22 mg P2O5 kg-1 gave highest content of potassium. Rhizobium had significant effect only on nitrogen content whereas Rhizobium + PSB increased both nitrogen and phosphorus contents. Uptake of nutrients by the crop increased significantly with application of P and bio-inoculants. Phosphorus and bio-inoculant application improved only phosphorus content significantly of post harvest soil.