Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) growth response to prilled and super granule urea application

Abstract

Indiscriminate use of nitrogenous fertilizers not only causes soil degradation but also significantly increases production costs, thus sought the urgent call for judicial application of this fertilizer to sustain soil fertility, particularly in producing pulse crops as they also trap atmospheric nitrogen. This study was conducted at the farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, to explore the best nitrogenous fertiliser (prilled and super granule urea) application rate fostering better growth and yield of mung bean. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was adopted with 16 treatments having three replications. Data on different growth contributing characteristics of mung bean were recorded, and statistical analysis was conducted to present the results. Findings of this study revealed significant variations in majority of the yield and yield contributing parameters of the mung bean influenced by the rate and methods of nitrogenous fertilizer application. The results demonstrated that application of prilled urea in furrows fostered the growth-related parameters of the mung bean crop such as the highest plant height (50.57 cm), the maximum number of leaves plant-1 (22.57), the maximum number of branches plant-1 (6.00) and the highest above ground dry matter plant-1 (12.08 g) which could enhance better yield as compared to any other treatments studied. However, application of urea super granule (USG) placement at 10 cm depth with a 40 cm distance exhibited the worst growth responses in regard to yield contributing parameters of mung bean.