RESPONSE OF A LOCAL AND SOME EXOTIC MUNGBEAN VARIETIES TO BIO- AND MINERAL FERTILIZATION

Abstract

A pot trial was carried out in the greenhouse of the National Research Centre during the summer season of 1999 to investigate the combined impact of Bradyrhizobium sp. (vigna) and Azotobacter vinelandii in the presence of various doses of chemical fertilizers, i.e. 25%, 50% and 100% of the recommended dose of NPK, on nodulation, growth parameters, seed yield and its components, and seed contents of protein, phosphorus and potassium of a local (Kawmy-1) and three exotic (VC-4, VC-9 and King) varieties of mungbean. The results indicated that there were no significant differences between the different varieties for nodule number per plant, while significant variations were obtained between both varieties and biofertilization treatments. The plants of the Kawmy-1 variety gave the shortest period of growth, the highest number of pods per plant and the highest values of harvest index and seed protein content. The King variety had the longest period of growth and the highest values for number of branches, seed yield, biological yield, seed index and seed phosphorus content. The inclusion of Azotobacter vinelandii significantly augmented various tested parameters, with the exception of seed yield, biological yield and potassium content, in comparison with Bradyrhizobium. Insignificant differences were found owing to the interaction between varieties, various levels of mineral fertilizers and types of biofertilizers with the exception of harvest index and seed phosphorus content.