Integrated Phosphorus Management Research Articles

Effect of integrated phosphorus management on the productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Effect of integrated phosphorus management on the productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Enhancing productivity, quality, and economics of rose scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.) through a novel integrated approach to phosphorus application

Phosphorus limitation is a major factor that adversely affects rose scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.) herbage followed by essential oil yield which is extracted from the green herbage of this high-value aromatic plant. To ensure sustainable yield, the need to improve phosphorus use efficiency in geranium cultivation is inevitable. Current study was undertaken to develop a cost-effective integrated phosphorus management package for the grower’s community to maximize yield, quality, and economics of geranium by combining optimizing phosphorous dose with paddy straw mulch and inoculation with vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM). Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years (2020–21 and 2021–22) at the research farm of CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India. Twelve treatment combinations were executed in a split plot design. Treatment comprised of two levels of paddy straw mulch (7.5 t ha−1 and no mulch), two levels of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) inoculation (6.5 kg ha−1and no VAM), and three levels of phosphorous doses (100 kg P2O5 ha−1, 150 P2O5 kg ha−1, and no Phosphorus). Mean data of two years revealed that rose scented geranium is a highly responsive crop towards all the variables applied. Growth parameters, yield attributes, herbage and oil yield, and essential oil quality were significantly improved. Nutrient uptake which is a prime concern of this study was also enhanced due to improvement in soil enzymatic activity, soil microbial biomass carbon, and soil nutrient status due to the combined effect of paddy straw mulching, VAM application, and optimum P doses. Maximum fresh herb yield (657.41 kg ha−1) was recorded in M1V1P1 while the highest volatile oil content, and oil yield (0.131% and 69.11 kg ha−1 respectively) were found in M1V1P2. At both the crop stages, maximum nutrient uptake (N = 1.44% and 1.85%, P = 0.30% and 0.35%, and K= 2.03% and 2.45% respectively) were also recorded with M1V1P2. The same treatment combination (M1V1P2) was recorded with maximum gross return (10403.3 US$ ha−1), total net profit (7795.5 US$ ha−1), and B:C ratio (2.99). Thus, this study recommends that geranium should be grown with appropriate phosphorus dose i.e. 150 kg P2O5 ha−1 along with VAM application (6.5 kg ha−1) and paddy straw mulching @ 7.5 t ha−1 for higher, cost-effective, and better quality oil production.

Conservation tillage and microbially mediated integrated phosphorus management enhance productivity, profitability and energy use efficiency of maize

AbstractSustainability of maize production systems is threatened by poor economic returns and resource intensiveness. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2016–17 to 2017–18 to assess the effect of tillage and microbial inoculantsintegrated phosphorus (P) management on productivity, quality, economic outcome and energy dynamics of maize. Three tillage practices viz., CT–R (conventional tillage with no residue), ZT–R (zero tillage with no residue) and ZT + R (zero tillage with wheat crop residue at 2.5 Mg/ha) were assigned in main plots and five P management practices viz., P1 (control–NK as per recommendation, but no P), P2 (17.2 kg P/ha), P3 (17.2 kg P/ha + PSB), P4 (17.2 kg P/ha + compost inoculants) and P5 (34.4 kg P/ha) were allocated in subplots in three times replicated split-plot design. The maximum grain yield (5.96 Mg/ha), protein content (9.13%), protein yield (546 kg/ha) and gross energy returns (209 × 103 MJ/ha) were recorded under ZT + R while higher benefit: cost ratio (B: C ratio – the amount of economic gain per unit investment) (1.53) and energy efficiency (12.5) was noticed under ZT–R. Among the P management practices, the application of 34.4 kg P/ha recorded the highest grain yield (6.45 Mg/ha), protein content (9.34%), protein yield (603 kg/ha), B: C ratio (1.65) and energy efficiency (10.1). The results suggested that the application of P at the rate of 34.4 kg/ha under ZT + R is an economically robust approach for the quality maize production in semi-arid region.

Effect of integrated phosphorus management on growth and yield of summer sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Effect of integrated phosphorus management on growth and yield of summer sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Effect of integrated phosphorus management on productivity, nutrient uptake, nutrient content and soil properties of summer sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

A study was carried out to know the impact of integrated phosphorus management on nutrient uptake, content and soil properties ofsummer sesame during summer, 2018 in Gujarat under irrigated condition with 10 treatments i.e. 25 kg P2O5 /ha (100 % RDF), FYM @ 5 t/ha, VC @ 2 t/ha, 12.5 kg P2O5 /ha (50 % RDF) + PSB @ 5 ml/kg (seed treatment), FYM @ 2.5 t/ha + PSB @ 5 ml/kg (seed treatment), VC @ 1 t/ha + PSB @ 5 ml/kg (seed treatment), 12.5 kg P2O5 /ha (50% RDF) + FYM @ 2.5 t/ha, 12.5 kg P2O5 /ha (50 % RDF) + VC @ 1 t/ha, FYM @ 2.5 t/ha + VC @ 1 t/ha and FYM @ 2.5 t/ha + VC @ 1 t/ha + PSB @ 5 ml/kg (seed treatment) and 4 replications in a RBD. It is found that among ten treatments, application of 12.5 kg P2O5 /ha + VC @ 1 t/ha significantly increased the nutrient uptake and nutrient content of summer sesame compared to other treatments which has shown a positive impact on crop productivity and application of 12.5 kg P2O5 /ha + PSB @ 5 ml/kg has resulted in significantly higher available phosphorus and 12.5 kg P2O5 /ha + FYM @ 2.5 t/ha has lead to highest organic carbon in the soil.

Phosphorus biofortification and uptake in maize enhanced with integrated phosphorus management

A limited phosphorus (P) supply restricts crop growth, productivity and seed setting in various crops. Adequate P enhances early maturity and crop quality with a big yield. A consequential two-year (2016–2017 and 2017–2018) field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of peach residues, compost and biochar, three P levels (50, 75 and 100 kg ha−1) and two beneficial microbes (PSB and Trichoderma) on P biofortification in maize and P fertilizer use efficiency (FUE). Experiential findings revealed that among the organic sources, peach biochar was the most promising source for the highest P uptake and bio-fortification. Among the beneficial microbes, soil application of Trichoderma showed extremity for higher grain P content, grain P uptake (GPU) and fertilizer use efficiency (FUE), while seed inoculation with PSB produced higher leaf P content, stalk P content, stover P content, stalk P uptake (SPU) and total P uptake (TPU) respectively. Inorganic P fertilization under 100 kg ha−1 enhanced grain P content, leaf P content, stalk P content, stover P contents, GPU, SPU and TPU, although the highest FUE was recorded under the lowest P rate (50 kg ha−1). Conclusively, it could be recommended that to get maize higher yield and enhance P uptake and bio-fortification, soil application of Trichoderma with peach biochar and 100 kg P ha−1 should be treated under P deficient soil.

Effect of Integrated Phosphorus Management on Macro and Micronutrient Status of Soil in Bt-Cotton

Aim: To evaluate the impact of integrated use of phosphorus on soil fertility in Bt-Cotton.
 Study Design: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications.
 Place of Study: At College Farm, Agricultural College, Bapatla, Guntur district.
 Methodology: After the preliminary layout, Tulasi-BG II hybrid of cotton was used as a test crop, with a spacing of 90 cm x 60 cm in the experimental site. Farmyard Manure @ 10 t ha-1 was applied 10 days prior to sowing while phosphorus solubilising bacteria @ 5 kg ha-1 was applied one day before sowing. Phosphorus was applied as per the treatments basally at sowing whereas, the recommended dose of nitrogen and potassium (120 and 60 kg ha-1, respectively) were applied in four equal splits at 20, 40, 60, and 80.
 Results: The treatments showed no significant influence on available nitrogen and potassium but, comparatively higher values of nitrogen and potassium were observed in organic treated plots. The available phosphorus content was markedly influenced by level of phosphorus as well as components of integration at all the crop growth stages. Highest available phosphorus was recorded on integration of maximum dose of phosphorus with Phosphorus solubilising bacteria (PSB) and Farmyard manure (FYM). The available micronutrient contents in soil did not show any marked difference among the treatments at all the stages of crop growth.
 Conclusion: Application of phosphorus along with Phosphorus solubilising bacteria (PSB) and Farmyard manure (FYM) can reduce the phosphorus requirement to crops as well as improves soil health.

Plant residues, beneficial microbes and integrated phosphorus management for improving hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) growth and total biomass

Phosphorus (P) unavailability and lack of organic matter in calcareous soils in semiarid climates are the major reasons for low crop productivity. This field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during the summer of 2015 to investigate the impact of plant residues (PR) (faba bean, garlic and paper mulberry residues) and phosphorous sources [(60 and 120kg ha-1) from single super phosphate (SSP) and poultry manure (PM)] with (+) and without (-) phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on the phenological development, growth and biomass yield of hybrid maize “CS-200”. Among the PR, application of faba bean residue was found to delay phenological development (days to tasseling, silking and physiological maturity), improved growth (taller plants, higher leaf area per plant and leaf area index) and produced the highest biomass yield (faba bean>garlic>paper mulberry residues). Application of P at the rate of 120kg ha-1 from the inorganic source (SSP) was more beneficial in terms of better growth and higher biomass yield (120-SSP≥120-PM>60-SSP>60-PM kg P ha-1). The plots with (+) PSB showed enhanced phenological development, produced significantly taller plants with higher leaf area per plant and leaf area index and produced the highest biomass yield. On the basis of these results we concluded that the application of faba bean residues, phosphorus at the rate of 120kg ha-1 either from organic or inorganic sources with the inoculation of seed with PSB improved the growth and total biomass of hybrid maize in the study area.

Effect of phosphorus and biofertilizers with and without FYM on mustard and soil fertility

A field experiment was conducted at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur to study the effect of integrated phosphorus management on yield and quality of mustard and soil fertility. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1), two levels of FYM (0 and 5 t ha-1) and four levels of microbial inoculum (no inoculum, PSB, VAM and PSB + VAM). The maximum seed and straw yield of mustard was significantly enhanced with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1, 5 t FYM ha-1 and PSB + VAM inoculation. Significantly higher available N, P, K and S content in soil after harvest of mustard was reported with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1, 5 t FYM ha-1 and PSB + VAM inoculation. Integrated application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 + 5 t FYM ha-1 reported significantly higher seed yield, straw yield, oil yield and available P and S after harvest of mustard. Application of 5 t FYM ha-1 along with PSB + VAM inoculation reported significantly higher available P.

Biochar and integrated phosphorus management suppress weed density in maize crop

Weeds pose a significant threat to successful crop production. To meet the increasing future food demand, sustainable and efficient weed control remains a cornerstone practice. Usage of high doses of herbicides for killing weeds has created several ecological and environmental problems which cannot be overlooked. Therefore, other weed control practices and techniques should be adopted to minimize weed-crop competition and increase the growth and productivity of crop, instead of chemicals. An experiment was established at Agronomy Research Farm, the University of Agriculture Peshawar to evaluate the effects of biochar and organic-inorganic P sources on density, fresh and dry weight of weeds in maize during 2016. Experiment was executed using randomized complete block design and treatments included biochar (0 and 10 tonnes ha-1) and three sources of P; FYM, PM and one DAP. Phosphorus at the rate of 100 kg ha-1 was applied in such a way that each plot received 50, 75 and 100% P from PM or FYM and the rest from DAP. Biochar and P sources significantly affected density, fresh and dry weight of weeds at 25 and 50 days after sowing of crop. 10 tonnes ha-1 biochar reduced weed density and fresh and dry weight of weeds at both intervals i.e. 25 and 50 days after sowing. Similarly, lower weed density, weed fresh and dry weight with addition of PM or FYM and DAP in 50:50 ratios. Sole FYM and PM resulted in higher weed density and weeds fresh and dry biomass. It is concluded that 10 tons ha-1 biochar and P application 50% from FYM or PM and 50% from DAP improved maize growth and reduced weed competition.

Improving wheat productivity and soil quality through integrated phosphorous management with residual effect of biochar

An experiment was performed to investigate the effect of integrated phosphorus management with previously applied biochar at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during 2018–2019. The treatments comprised of two levels of biochar (10 tons ha−1 and no biochar) and three sources of P {Farmyard manure, poultry manure, and an inorganic source di-ammonium phosphate}. The phosphorous sources were added in such a manner that 100, 75 and 50% of P were received from the organic sources and the remaining were obtained from the inorganic source and vice versa @ 100 kg P ha−1. This experiment was much needed for our conditions to formulate the recommended organic and mineral fertilizers for our soil, because our famers uses mineral fertilizers without any specific calculation and time which degrade and erode the soil day by day. The experiment was designed in RCB and repeated three times. The size of plot was kept as 21 m2 with strong ridges around each plot. Biological yield (7829 kg ha−1), grain yield (3200 kg ha−1), soil organic matter (1.71%), soil P content (4.28 mg kg−1), straw P content (0.07%) and grain P content (0.21%) were significantly greater with 10 tons ha−1 of residual biochar treatment. However, more thousand grain weight (52.3 g), soil organic matter (2.05%), straw P content (0.096%) and grain P content (0.25%) were significantly enhanced with the application of 100% P from PM only whereas, biological yield (9789 kg ha−1) and grain yield (4334 kg ha−1) were enhanced with application of P as 50% from PM and 50% from DAP. Soil phosphorus was significantly increased with the application of FYM. These results suggested that addition of biochar at the rate of 10 tons ha−1 in the previous season along with 100% P from PM in the current season improved yield and yield components and soil physico-chemical properties and is therefore recommended for Peshawar valley.

Nutrient uptake, Quality traits and Yield of Groundnut as Influenced by Integrated Phosphorus Management

Nutrient uptake, Quality traits and Yield of Groundnut as Influenced by Integrated Phosphorus Management

Phosphorus Demand for Food Security: A Case Study of a Food-Deficient Country

The modern global food production system relies heavily on a considerable input of phosphorus. Sustainable food and agriculture need integrated phosphorus management, especially in phosphorus-scarce and food-deficient countries. This study aimed to investigate the phosphorus requirements to meet the future food demand for a phosphorus-scarce and food-deficient country, Comoros, as a case study. With its rapid population growth, domestic food production is far from meeting the food demand in Comoros, and the country relies on imported foods to satisfy the national needs; it is currently a net food importer, an import-dependent nation. We first calculated the virtual and embedded phosphorus flows through food trade in Comoros, from 1991 to 2013, and then estimated the phosphorus requirements for the future food demand under two scenarios. We found that the total virtual and embedded phosphorus through imported food increased from 163,313 to 493,190.97 kg and 53,190.12 to 143,009.62 kg in 1991 and 2013, respectively. Whereas, the embedded phosphorus through exported food shifted from 2548.75 to 1334.5 kg in 1991 and 2013, respectively. In addition, the Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) analysis found that Comoros’s SSR is far below 100%; it varied from 46.27% in 1991 to 29.70% in 2013, indicating that the capacity of domestic production to cover domestic consumption fell by 16.57% during that period. In terms of phosphorus requirements, Comoros will require approximately 3,003,435.09 kg of phosphorus to reach 90% of the SSR or 3,337,150.10 kg to achieve 100% of the SSR, by 2030. These amounts could allow farmers to domestically produce the entire volume of food crops and livestock products that would otherwise be imported from trade.

Integrated phosphorus management in maize–chickpea cropping system on alkaline Fluvisol

In tropical agro-ecosystem, crop production is constrained by the reduced availability of soil phosphorus (P) due to strong P fixation. A field experiment was conducted for five cropping seasons on an alkaline Fluvisol to assess the integrated effect of six system-based fertilizer P rate (kg P2O5 ha−1) in maize (M)–chickpea (C) rotation [M0–C0, M0–C40, M30–C0, M30–C40, M60–C0, M60–C40], two manure treatments [no farmyard manure (FYM), FYM at 5 t ha−1], and two phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) treatments [no PSB, PSB seed treatment in chickpea] on soil available-P, soil–plant P dynamics, balance, P use efficiency, and system productivity. Combined application of fertilizer P and FYM had a strong positive impact on soil available-P, soil biochemical properties, P acquisition and crop productivity. Conversely, the effect of PSB was marginal. Treatment M60–C40 + FYM + PSB increased soil available-P by 56% at the end of 5-year rotation; where 53% depletion was noticed in treatment M0–C0 − FYM − PSB (control). Treatments M30–C40 + FYM ± PSB, M60–C0 + FYM ± PSB, and M60–C40 + FYM ± PSB had a positive trend of soil available-P. The order of fertilizer P treatments for P uptake and annual P balance was M60–C40 > M30–C40 > M60–C0 > M0–C40 > M30–C0 > M0–C0. FYM application improved P recovery efficiency by 71%. Soil microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase, and soil pH had significant relationship with available-P (p 0.05). Therefore, integration of manure and fertilizer P is recommended for increasing the productivity and P use efficiency in maize–chickpea rotation in tropical alkaline soil.

Integrated phosphorus management in maize-chickpea rotation in moderately-alkaline Inceptisol in Kanpur, India: An agronomic and economic evaluation

Worldwide, input-intensive modern agriculture is accountable for incessant depletion of non-renewable phosphorus (P) reserve. This, in turn, has generated a renewed interest on efficient use of fertilizer P in field crop production, which is equally important for enhancing profitability and mitigating environmental challenges associated with fertilizer P application. In tropical soils, the productivity of field crops is mostly constrained by low availability of P in soil. Given the context, a field experiment was carried out on a moderately-alkaline Inceptisol (pH ˜8.2) for five years to assess the effect of six system-based inorganic fertilizer P treatments (kg P2O5 ha−1) in maize (M)-chickpea (C) rotation [M0-C0, M0-C40, M30-C0, M30-C40, M60-C0, M60-C40], two manure treatments [no farmyard manure (FYM), FYM at 5 t ha−1] and two phosphate solublizing bacteria (PSB) treatments [no treatment, PSB seed treatment in chickpea] on crop performance, system productivity, economics and production sustainability. A strong integrated effect of FYM and fertilizer P was observed on growth and productivity of both the component crops. However, the effect of PSB was marginal. Notably, the treatment M30-C0+FYM had a similar maize yield to that of M60-C40-FYM; and, chickpea grain yield was comparable in the treatments M60-C0+FYM ± PSB and M60-C40-FYM ± PSB, indicating a strong positive effect of FYM in alkaline soil, which was primarily attributed to increased soil available-P. At the end of five-year rotation, soil available-P in absolute control treatment M0-C0-FYM-PSB was depleted by 53%, where an increase of 56% in available-P was observed in the treatment M60-C40+FYM + PSB. In both the component crops, strong correlations (p < 0.01) between grain yields and soil available-P were observed. Residual effect of fertilizer P was observed in the subsequent crop, being higher in chickpea. The scale of residual advantage of fertilizer P was decreased with increase in current fertilizer P rate. Irrespective of FYM and PSB treatments, order of fertilizer P treatments for chickpea equivalent yield (CEY) was M60-C40 > M30-C40 > M0-C40 ≥ M60-C0 > M30-C0 > M0-C0 (p < 0.05). The treatment M60-C40+FYM + PSB led to 18% higher CEY over the treatment M60-C40-FYM-PSB, which in turns fetched additional net returns of INR 14,853. Thus, integrated application of FYM (5 t ha−1) and fertilizer P treatment M30-C40 could be recommended for higher crop productivity and economic return from maize-chickpea rotation in tropical moderately-alkaline soil.

Saffron corm production as influenced by integrated phosphorus management

Study confirmed significant effect of FYM in increasing corm production. The maximum corm production of 11.444 t ha-1 was recorded with the highest organic application and the corresponding increase over its control (4.738 t ha-1) was 141.53%. The phosphorus application recorded maximum corm production of 9.278 t ha-1 when applied at 100 kg ha-1 and the corresponding increase over its respective control (6.513 t ha-1) was 42.45%. The application of phosphorus solubilizers (PSB) also increased the corm production significantly and the increase recorded was 15.80%. The effect of FYM, PSB and phosphorus increased the number of corms in all corm weight grades (i.e. >15 g, 8-15 g and 15 g) were recorded when phosphorus was applied at 100 kg ha-1, FYM at 60 t ha-1 and with PSB inoculation in the test crop. The increases over their corresponding controls were 67.90, 169.35 and 25.26%, respectively. Their interactions were also found statistically significant in increasing the corm number.

Integrated Phosphorus Management Improves Production of Rice–Wheat Cropping-System Under Salt Affected Conditions

Phosphorus (P) is the second most important macronutrient and is deficient in most of the agricultural soils based on higher retention with soil and poor recovery from the applied fertilizers. A field experiment was conducted in 2009–2012 in which different organic wastes of agricultural and industrial origin with inorganic P fertilizer to improve crop yield, P use efficiency and physic-chemical properties of soils in salt affected soils under rice–wheat cropping system. The treatments included; P at farmer practice, P on soil need basis, PoM + chemical fertilizer (1:1), MSWC + chemical fertilizer (1:1), PrM + chemical fertilizer (1:1) and FM + chemical fertilizer (1:1). Analysis showed that nutrients source significantly improved vegetative and yield attributes of rice and wheat crops. However, application of PoM + chemical fertilizer on soil need basis significantly improved the growth and yield attributes of both crops and soil physic-chemical properties than all the other treatments. The effectiveness of treatments could be arrange as PoM + chemical fertilizer on soil need basis > FM + chemical fertilizer on soil need basis > MSWC + chemical fertilizer on soil need basis > PrM + chemical fertilizer on soil need basis > P on soil need basis > P at farmer practice, respectively. In conclusion, integration of organic and chemical P fertilizer resulted in well-balanced nutrient management plan. Application of PoM + chemical fertilizer on soil need basis is recommended as an effective and economical integrated nutrient management practice enhancing productivity of rice–wheat crop and improving physical and chemical properties of salt affected soils.

Effect of integrated phosphorus management on growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea

An experiment was conducted at College Farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, NAU, Navsari with five levels of phosphorus fertilizers and three levels of phorphorus biofertilizers to study the effect of integrated phosphorus management on chickpea. Application of 75% RDP (Recommended dose of phosphorus) through SSP (Single super phosphate)+25% RDP through RP (Rock phosphate) (F4) recorded significantly higher plant height, number of branches, plant spread, dry matter production (24.13 g/plant), nodule count (27.38), number of pods/plant (53.11), 100-seed weight (21.69 g/plant), seed yield (19.34 q/ha), straw yield (27.65 q/ha) and harvest index (41.01) which was at par with 100% RDP through SSP (F1). Among different bio-fertilizers, PSB (Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria)+AM (Arbascular mycorrhiza) (B3) recorded significantly highest plant height, number of branches, plant spread, dry matter production (23.65 g/plant), nodule count (25.19), number of pods/plant (52.50), 100-seed weight (12.28 g/plant), seed yield (18.94 q/ha) and straw yield (26.48 q/ha). The integrated use of 75% RDP through SSP+25% RDP through RP and combined use of AM with PSB can be for better yield of chickpea.

In-situ rainwater conservation techniques with integrated phosphorusmanagement on consumptive use of moisture, moisture use efficiencyand productivity of pigeonpea under dryland conditions.

A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of in-situ rainwater conservation techniques with integrated phosphorous management on consumptive use of moisture, moisture use efficiency and productivity of pigeonpea under dryland condition during the kharif season 2007-08 to 2011-12 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Solapur (Maharashtra). The pooled results revealed that in situ rain water conservation technique, flat sowing with one hoeing at 3rd week and opening of ridges and furrows at 30 days after sowing gave significantly higher grain and stalk (754 and 3323 kg ha-1) yield and has attributed to increased availability of soil water in the soil profile. Among the integrated phosphorus management, the application of 12.5 kg N ha-1 + 25 kg P2O5ha-1through DAP + Rhizobium + PSB registered significantly higher grain and stalk (897 and 3409 kg ha-1) yield over control with increased water use efficiency by 1.52 kg ha-1 mm-1. The higher soil moisture (136 mm),consumptive use of moisture (611mm) and moisture use efficiency (1.25 kg ha-1 mm-1) were conserved with the flat sowing with one hoeing at 3rd week and opening of ridges and furrow 30 days after sowing. Flat sowing + One hoeing +Opening of furrows at 30 DAS along with recommended dose of fertilizer 12.5:25 kg ha-1 N: P2O5 through DAP +Rhizobium +PSB is recommended for increased pigeonpea yield and water productivity through in situ rain water conservation techniques in dryland conditions..

Effect of integrated phosphorus management on growth, yield and quality of lentil (Lens culinaris)

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the effect of integrated phosphorus management on growth, yield and quality of lentil. The trial was laid out in split plot design assigning 8 treatments of three phosphorus levels (0, 40 and 80 Kg ha-1), three mode of PSB application (soil application, seed inoculation including control) and sulphur application of 20 Kg ha-1 with control. The crop was fertilized up to 80 Kg ha-1 of phosphorus application enhanced more growth, yield attributes, seed yield and protein yield than the 40 Kg ha-1 and control, however the initial plant population per running meter was remain non-significant during both the years. The PSB applied by seed inoculation and 20 Kg ha-1 sulphur application were showed similar effects. The economic value also calculated to judge best combination and found that the 80 Kg ha-1 phosphorus application, seed inoculation with PSB and 20 Kg ha-1 sulphur application received more net income (ha-1) and benefit cost ratio also.