Influence of Potassium on Growth, Yield, Water Relation and Chlorophyll Content of Greeengram [Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek] in Inceptisols

Abstract

Background: Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is an important edible bean in the human diet worldwide. However, its growth, development, and yield may be restricted or limited by insufficient or unbalanced nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization. Under intensive cropping systems, large amounts of K are removed, leading to serious depletion of soil K reserves. Therefore this study was conducted to generate the high yield and to improve yield components via effective and balanced fertilization.Methods: In this field experimentation during 2014-2016 different levels of potassium through soil application and foliar spray were studied. Three locations were selected on the basis dominance of the crops under rainfed condition.Result: In the present experimentation there was a significant effect of potash levels on plant height, number of pods per plant, 100-grain weight and grain yield. Significantly the highest grain yield (1120 kg ha-1) was recorded with 20 kg K2O ha-1, which was at par with 30 kg K2O ha-1. However, the grain yield with 20 kg K2O ha-1 was reported statistically equivalent yield with two foliar spray of muriate of potash (KCL) at flowering and pod filling stage. The pigments responsible for photosynthesis such as chlorophyll was favourably influenced by soil and foliar application of potassium. The K use efficiency parameters of AE, AR, ENUE and VCR were relatively high with potash application @ 20 kg ha-1 thereafter it declines. The positive balance of K is highly predominant in almost all the potassium applied plots which imply that the use of K fertilizers is optimal.