Summer Mungbean Research Articles

Effect of Soil and Foliar Application of Zinc and Iron on Yield, Nutrient Content and Quality of Summer Mungbean

The culinary value of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) makes it one of the most valuable pulses. The enhanced and inorganic farming method of India has been able to attract special attention from scientists and growers. The crucial aspect in pulse productivity is the use of the proper micronutrients in the appropriate proportions. Therefore, the field experiment was carried out at RRTTSS, Kirei, Sundargarh during summer season 2021. Experiment consists of eight treatments replicated thrice with RBD. The results revealed that seed yield (521 kg ha-1), stover yield (1307 kg ha-1), gross returns (Rs. 36470/ha), net returns (Rs. 8020/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.28) and nutrient content N (3.86% & 1.25% in seed and stover), P (0.45% & 0.19% in seed & stover), K (0.65% & 1.88% in seed and stover) were recorded significantly highest under the treatment of 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.5% FeSO4 foliar spray at flower initiation stage along with RDF and FYM. Highest Zn content (51.01 ppm) in seed and (17.43 ppm) in stover was obtained in T3- T1+ 0.5% ZnSO4 FI & PI stage. The maximum iron content in seed (117.50 ppm) as well as in stover (84.97 ppm) was observed in T5 - T1+ 0.5% FeSO4 at FI & PI stage.

Better crop establishment, residue recycling and diversification for sustaining non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa) in western IGP

The conventional non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) is neither economical nor sustainable in IGP. Therefore, an on-farm study was carried out at the farmer’s field in Karnal district of Haryana to find out alternative by diversified crops having legume (summer mungbean) with the best tillage and residue management practices. The intensification through conservation agriculture (CA)-based crop management within the RW system (CTR–ZTWMb and DSR– ZTWMb) and beyond with diversification by maize (ZTMWMb and ZTMMuMb) gave statistically on par yield to conventional non-basmati rice (CTRW). Compared to CTRW, total water use was reduced by 0.8 and 14.8% in CTR– ZTWMb and DSR–ZTWMb, respectively. The total water use was significantly reduced by 53.9 to 60.8% with maize and soybean (ZTMWMb, ZTMMuMb, and ZTSWMb) over DSR–ZTWMb and CTRW. The net returns increased by ₹3.7–6.5 × 103/ha in CTR–ZTWMb and DSR–ZTWMb over the CTRW. In diversified systems, net returns increased by ₹10–16.5 × 103/ha with maize systems compared to three rice production scenarios. Similarly, in soybean, net returns enhanced by ₹4.6 × 103/ha over the CTRW systems. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in global warming potential (GWP) by 53.4–69.1, 53.3–69.0 and 46.9–64.8% was observed under ZTMWMb, ZTMMuMb and ZTSWMb, respectively over the three RW system treatments. These results demonstrate that crop diversification with the inclusion of maize and soybean with CA may be opted to improve crop and water productivity and farmer's income replacing traditional rainy (kharif ) season non-basmati rice in Western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP).

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH ATTRIBUTES AND SEED YIELD IN MUNGBEAN

A field experiment entitledIntegrated Nutrient Management on Summer Mung bean (Vigna radiata) under Malwa Region was conducted during summer season2021and2022at the field of Agronomy, SAGE University, Indore. There were nine treatment combinations of integrated nutrient management i.e. T1: Control, T2: RDF (20 kg N + 40 kg P2O5/ha), T3: RDF + Rhizobium + PSB, T4: FYM (10 Kg/Ha), T5: FYM + Rh + PSB, T6: RDF (50%) + FYM (2.5 t/ha) + (Rh+ PSB), T7: RDF (50%) + FYM (5 t/ha) + (Rh+ PSB), T8: RDF (25%) + FYM (5 t/ha) + (Rh+ PSB) and T9: RDF (75%) + FYM (5 t/ha) + (Rh+ PSB) with four replications under Randomized Block Design. Based on two years experimental finding on mungbean under the influence of integrated nutrient management during the both seasons i.e., 2021 and 2022 with pooled, it appeared that conjoint application of T9 treatment combination RDF (75%) + FYM (5t/ha) + (Rh + PSB) resulted in significantly superior in plant height, plant dry matter accumulation (gram per meter row length), number of branches (plant-1), chlorophyll content in leaves (mg/g fresh weight of leaves), total number of root nodules (plant-1), effective number of root nodules (plant-1), fresh weight of root nodules (plant-1), and dry weight of root nodules (plant-1), various yield and yield attributing characteristics viz., number of pods (plant -1), number of seeds (Pod -1), test weight (1000 seed weight in grams), seed yield (Kg ha -1), straw yield (Kg ha -1), biological yield (Kg ha -1), harvest index (%), protein content (%) in seed, protein yield (Kg ha -1) by seed, nutrient content, nutrient uptake, cost of cultivation (Rs. ha-1), gross return (Rs. ha-1), net return (Rs. ha-1) and B:C ratio.

Growth, Yield and Nutrient Content of Mungbean as Influenced by Foliar Potassium Application and Irrigation Levels

A field experiment was conducted in 2018 to study the response of Summer Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) to foliar potassic fertilization under different moisture regimes. The experiment was laid out in split plot design by having 16 treatment combinations with 2 irrigation levels in the main plot and 6 foliar potassium sprays in subplots, which were replicated thrice. Results revealed that the growth parameters of mungbean viz., plant height, plant spread, number of leaves/plant, LAI, dry matter accumulation/plant, and grain yield were significantly higher under 0.6 IW/CPE ratio as compared to 0.4 IW/CPE ratio. Nutrient content (N, P and K) was also found higher under 0.6 IW/CPE ratio than 0.4 IW/CPE ratio. Among potassium treatments, foliar application of 1%K through KNO3/KCl at flowering and pod development stage produced significantly higher values of growth parameters viz., plant height, number of leaves and branches/plant and dry matter accumulation/plant at all the stages of growth except at 25 DAS. Foliar application of 1%K through KNO3/KCl at flowering and pod development stage recorded significantly higher grain and straw yield than rest of the treatments. Nutrient content was found higher under foliar application of 1%K through KNO3/KCl at flowering and pod development stage but did not differ significantly.

Effect of phosphorus and bio-inoculants on root nodules, nutrient uptake, quality and economics of summer mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

A field experiment was conducted at Rajasthan College of Agriculture Udaipur, (MPUAT) (Rajasthan) during Summer season of 2016 to evaluate the effect of phosphorus and bio-inoculants on soil fertility and yield of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under factorial randomized block design with three replications and two factors likewise, four level of phosphorus Control (0 kg P2O5 ha-1) , 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and four level of bio-inoculants (control, PSB, Aspergillus awamori , PSB + Aspergillus awamori ) applied to the variety SML-668. The data were analyzed using standard statistical procedures. Results revealed that application of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 significantly enhances number of total and effective nodules per plant flowering stage after 45 DAS, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, protein content in seed, as well as produces the higher net returns (62144 Rs /ha) and highest B:C ratio (3.86) which was statistically at par with 60 kg P2O5 /ha. Inoculation of mungbean seeds with PSB + Aspergillus awamori significantly increased number of total and effective nodules at flowering after 45 DAS, LAI, chlorophyll content, nutrient content, protein content in seed, and gave highest net return ₹63187 /ha as compared to control, PSB and Aspergillus awamori, whereas, B:C ratio of treatment PSB and Aspergillus awamori was highest 3.98 as compared to control.

Interactive effects of irrigation, tillage and mulch on summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Interactive effects of irrigation, tillage and mulch on summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Productivity and Nutrient Uptake Influenced by Zinc and Iron on Summer Mungbean

Nutrient management is one of the most significant strategies that have an impact on mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) growth and development. Therefore, the field trial was carried out at RRTTSS, Kirei, Sundargarh during summer season 2021. Experiment consists of eight treatment including T1- control (RDF: 20-40-20 kg/ha and FYM 5 tha-1), T2 - T1+ 0.5% ZnSO4 FI, T3 - T1+ 0.5% ZnSO4 FI & PI, T4 - T1+ 0.5% FeSO4 FI, T5 - T1+ 0.5% FeSO4 FI & PI, T6 - T1+ 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.5% FeSO4 FI, T7 - T1+ 25 kgha-1 ZnSO4 soil application, T8 - T1+ 50 kg ha-1 FeSO4 soil application and replicated thrice with RBD. The results of the experiment revealed that yield attributes viz. pods per plant (15.63), seeds per pod (10.50), Seed yield (521 kg ha-1) and stover yield (1307 kg ha-1), total uptake of N (36.47 kg ha-1), P (4.60 kg ha-1), K (27.95 kg ha-1), Zn (47.99 g ha-1) and Fe (156.98 g ha-1) were recorded significantly highest under the treatment of 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.5% FeSO4 foliar spray at flower initiation stage along with RDF and FYM. The highest N, P and K uptake was found with application of 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.5% FeSO4 at flower initiation stage (20.09 kg ha-1), (2.17 kg ha-1) and (3.37 kg ha-1) in seed & stover (16.38 kg ha-1), (2.43 kg ha-1) and (24.58 kg ha-1), respectively.

Effect of salicylic acid on growth, physiological traits, yield and water productivity of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) under different irrigation regimes

To evaluate the efficacy of salicylic acid in improving water productivity under different irrigation regimes, a field experiment was carried out in 2019-20 and 2020-21 in a split plot design with three irrigation regimes i.e., irrigation water (IW) to cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) ratios of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 in main plots and foliar spray of salicylic acid (SA) at four concentrations i.e., 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM in sub plots. Frequency of irrigation significantly affected the morphological and physiological traits. However, foliar application of salicylic acid alleviated the effect of less frequent irrigation on plant height (4.6-10.3%), biomass (10.4%) and leaf area (1.0%). SA application improved the water status of plants with 9.2% higher relative water content as compared to control. Root mass density was higher in I0.3 regime in the lower depths of soil profile as compared to I0.6 and I0.9, which further increased with salicylic acid application. The content of osmolytes was highest in I0.3 which increased up to 34-36% with salicylic acid. Highest seed yield was recorded under I0.6 regime and 1.5 mM SA but it was statistically at par with 1.0 mM SA. Water productivity was highest in the least irrigated regime (3.55 kg ha-1 mm-1) and 1.0 mM SA (3.25 kg ha-1 mm). Foliar application of 1.0 mM SA can be considered as the effective for improving seed yield under all irrigation regimes with more pronounced effect in less frequent irrigation regime.

Effect of salicylic acid on growth, physiological traits, yield and water productivity of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) under different irrigation regimes

To evaluate the efficacy of salicylic acid in improving water productivity under different irrigation regimes, a field experiment was carried out in 2019-20 and 2020-21 in a split plot design with three irrigation regimes i.e., irrigation water (IW) to cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) ratios of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 in main plots and foliar spray of salicylic acid (SA) at four concentrations i.e., 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM in sub plots. Frequency of irrigation significantly affected the morphological and physiological traits. However, foliar application of salicylic acid alleviated the effect of less frequent irrigation on plant height (4.6-10.3%), biomass (10.4%) and leaf area (1.0%). SA application improved the water status of plants with 9.2% higher relative water content as compared to control. Root mass density was higher in I0.3 regime in the lower depths of soil profile as compared to I0.6 and I0.9, which further increased with salicylic acid application. The content of osmolytes was highest in I0.3 which increased up to 34-36% with salicylic acid. Highest seed yield was recorded under I0.6 regime and 1.5 mM SA but it was statistically at par with 1.0 mM SA. Water productivity was highest in the least irrigated regime (3.55 kg ha-1 mm-1 ) and 1.0 mM SA (3.25 kg ha-1 mm). Foliar application of 1.0 mM SA can be considered as the effective for improving seed yield under all irrigation regimes with more pronounced effect in less frequent irrigation regime

Residue retention and nitrogen management of preceding crops influences the productivity, profitability and environmental footprints of summer mungbean in maize-based cropping systems under conservation agriculture

ABSTRACT A field study was carried out during 7th and 8th cycles in conservation agriculture to assess the influence of cropping system {(maize-mustard (MMu) and maize-wheat (MW)}, residue application {(with residue (WR) and without residue (WoR)} and precision nitrogen management options in preceding crop {recommended dose of N (RDN), 33%, 50% and 70% basal RDN + green seeker (GS) based N application} on succeeding summer mungbean. The WR enhanced 17.5% and 13.6% seed yield with 29.1% and 12.06% higher net returns of mungbean in MMu and MW, respectively. Residue mulching with 50+ GS significantly increased the seed protein content. The MMu with WR and 33+ GS produced higher environmental footprints (532.8 and 479.5 kg CO2-e Mg−1), respectively. Similarly, significantly higher gross energy was produced in WR (44.2 × 103 MJ ha−1) while, WoR produced higher net energy (11.7 × 103 MJ ha−1) under MMu compared to MW (43.1 and 8.31 MJ ha−1), respectively. Thus, growing of mungbean under maize-based cropping systems with residue and 50+ GS guided N fertilization to previous crops (maize-wheat/mustard) improved yield and net returns with lower environmentally footprints and energy consumption in Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) and similar agro-ecologies.

Root System Architecture and Symbiotic Parameters of Summer Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata) under Different Conservation Agriculture Practices

Root system architecture plays a vital role in plant growth, development, and adaptation by absorbing water and nutrients and providing mechanical support for growing plants. Unfortunately, little information is available in the literature on the root dynamics of summer mung bean under conservation agriculture conditions. In this study, field experiments were conducted during the summer seasons of two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) to investigate the root system dynamics of summer mung bean under different conservation agriculture practices. The highest stem and system width, depth to width length, number of nodal roots, taproot diameter, secondary root length (both right and left) of summer mung bean were recorded in the Soybean (permanent bed; PB)-Wheat(PB)-Summer mung (PB)(+Residual; +R) based cropping systems, followed by Maize(PB)-Wheat(PB)-Summer mung (PB)(+R), while, the lowest values of above parameters were recorded in the Puddled Transplanted Rice–Conventional till (PTR-CT)Wheat-Summer mung (-R). Further, the pod length, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, seed yield and symbiotic parameters (including number of nodules per plant, leghaemoglobin content) and root dry weight were recorded highest in Soybean (PB)-Wheat (PB)-Summer mung (PB)(+R). Interestingly, the yield of summer mung bean increased around 13.4–29.5% when residues were retained on the soil surface with treatments involving residual removal. The soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity increased significantly under Soybean (PB)-Wheat (PB)-Summer mung (PB)(+R) based cropping system as compared to PTR-CT Wheat-Summer mung (-R). In addition, the number of pods per plant exhibited a significantly positive correlation with yield during both crop seasons. Overall, this study suggests that the inclusion of summer mung in soybean-based cropping systems may substantially improve the root architecture and soil quality and increase crop yield under conservation agriculture.

Increasing Productivity and Profitability of Summer Mungbean through Cluster Frontline Demonstrations in Sonipat, Haryana

Background: Cluster frontline demonstrations on summer mungbean were conducted at farmers’ fields in 2018-19 and 2019-20 in Sonipat district of Haryana state. Crop yield and returns of demonstrations were compared to those obtained in the local check plots. Adoption of improved practices of crop production in demonstration plots increased the crop yield by 30% over local check. Methods: A total number of 150 cluster front line demonstrations (CFLDs) were conducted in 60 ha. area during 2019 and 2020. A survey to get information on summer mungbean cultivation practices was undertaken before conducting the demonstrations. Selection of farmers and improved practices for demonstrations were done on the basis of survey information. Result: The average yield recorded in the demonstration and local check plots was 580 kg/ha and 447 kg/ha, respectively. This increase in yield was recorded with additional expenditure of Rs. 2285/ha. Net returns, additional returns and benefit cost ratio in demonstrations came out to be Rs. 13076 /ha, 3073 /ha and 1.77, respectively. The extension and technology gaps were recorded as 132.5 and 920.0 kg/ha, respectively. The technology index of 61.3% strongly indicated the technology inadequacies in the crop cultivation. The results of demonstrations revealed that low level of productivity at farmers’ fields could be increased to sustainable level by adoption of improved practices.

Effect of Zinc and Iron on Growth and Productivity of Summer Mungbean

Micronutrients like zinc and iron play an important role in growth and development of mungbean. The scarcity of these micronutrients also has an impact on seed quality of mungbean. A field experiment on optimization of nutrient management practices through soil and foliar application in mungbean was conducted during summer season 2021. The treatments included control, 0.5% ZnSO4 at flower initiation (FI), 0.5% ZnSO4 at FI & pod initiation (PI), 0.5% FeSO4 at FI, 0.5% FeSO4 at FI & PI, 0.5 % ZnSO4 & 0.5% FeSO4 at FI, 25 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 soil application, 50 kg ha-1 FeSO4 soil application. Plant height (29.85 cm), number of branches per plant (8) and number of nodules per plant (16) were improved significantly by foliar spraying of 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.5% FeSO4 at FI. Significantly maximum no. of pods per plant, seeds per pod, seed yield (521 kg ha-1) and stover yield (1307 kg ha-1), net returns (Rs. 8020/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.28) were recorded under 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.5% FeSO4 spray at Flower initiation stage.

Residual Effects of Chemical Fertilizers, Organic Manure and Biofertilizers Applied to Preceding Gobhi sarson Crop on Summer Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Background: Inclusion of legume crops in multiple cropping systems has become crucial to increase the sustainability of agroecosystems. Short duration mung bean can be easily fitted into many cropping sequences which also turns the farming highly remunerative along with strengthening the sustainability. The current study was aimed to evaluate residual effect of nutrient management on performance of summer mung bean in a gobhi sarson - summer mung bean sequence. Methods: During the period of 2016-17 and 2017-18 different doses of chemical fertilizers (NPK), combination of FYM with chemical fertilizers and different biofertilizers alone as well as their combination were evaluated to find out their residual effect on summer mung bean grown after the gobhi sarson crop. The data on growth parameters, yield attributes viz; plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100- seed weight were collected. The seed and biological yield from different treatments was also evaluated. Result: All growth parameters, yield attributes, seed and biological yield of summer mung bean were affected significantly with chemical fertilizers, their combined application with FYM treatments as well as different biofertilizers treatments applied to preceding gobhi sarson. Growth and yield significantly improved with each incremental dose of chemical fertilizers i.e. from 0 to 50% RDF, 50 to 75% RDF, 75 to 100% RDF while 50% RDF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 being the best treatment. The treatment with consortium showed significantly maximum yield and growth parameters followed by combined application of Azotobacter + PSB, PSB alone, Azotobacter alone and no inoculation treatments, respectively.

Effect of dates of sowing and genotypes on management of powdery mildew disease caused by Erysiphe polygoni on summer mungbean and their yield attributes

Effect of dates of sowing and genotypes on management of powdery mildew disease caused by Erysiphe polygoni on summer mungbean and their yield attributes

Foliar Nutrition of Zinc and Iron on Quality and Productivity of Summer Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

A field experiment was carried out at RRTTSS, Kirei, Sundargarh during summer season 2021 to find out the effect of foliar nutrition of zinc and iron on quality and productivity of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L.). The results revealed that seed yield (521 kg ha-1), stover yield (1307 kg ha-1), gross returns (¹ 36470 ha-1), net returns (¹ 8020 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (1.28) as well as nutrient content in seed (3.86, 0.45 and 0.65% NPK) and in stover (1.25, 0.19 and 1.88% NPK) were recorded significantly highest values under the T6 treatment [0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.5% FeSO4 foliar spray at flower initiation (FI) stage along with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and FYM]. The highest Zn content in seed (51.01 ppm) and stover (17.43 ppm) was obtained in T3 treatment [T1 + 0.5% ZnSO4 at flower initiation (FI) and pod initiation (PI) stage]. However, the maximum iron content in seed (117.50 ppm) as well as in stover (84.97 ppm) was recorded in T5 treatment (T1 + 0.5% FeSO4 at FI and PI stage).

Response of Summer Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) wilczek] to Foliar Potash Fertilization under Different Moisture Regimes

Background: Scheduling of irrigation is the major factor in producing higher yields of summer crops. Water stress during the sensitive stages will cause significant reduction in yield. Potassium (K+) is reported as an important element in reducing the ill effects of crop water stress. Foliar application of potassium increases the drought tolerance in mungbean. Keeping this in view, a field experiment was conducted to study the response of summer mungbean to foliar potassic fertilization under different moisture regimes during 2018 at SVPUAT, Meerut (U.P). Methods: It included 12 treatment combinations comprised of 2 irrigation schedules (0.6 and 0.4 IW/CPE ratio) and 6 foliar potassium treatments (1% spray of K through KNO3 and/or KCl at flowering, flowering and pod development stage including control), replicated thrice and were tested under a split-plot design. Result: The results indicated that, the growth parameters, yield and yield attributes of mungbean were significantly higher under 0.6 IW/CPE ratio as compared to 0.4. The gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio were also found highest with 0.6 IW/CPE ratio. Among the foliar application of potassium treatments, the growth attributes, yield and yield attributes were significantly increased by foliar application of 1% K through KNO3/KCl at flowering and pod development stage. The foliar application of 1% K through KNO3 at flowering and pod development stage fetched significantly higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio, but remained on par with dual spray of 1% K through KCl. The interaction effect between irrigation regimes and potassium foliar levels was non-significant for most of the parameters.

Sustainable water use through multiple cropping systems and precision irrigation

Water resource management is pivotal for sustainable operations, particularly in agriculture, as, for example, the sector accounts for about 70% of the global freshwater exploitation. Specifically, in countries like India, the prevalence of water-intensive cropping systems such as ‘rice – wheat’ in tandem with traditional irrigation methods such as flood irrigation has resulted in alarming water scarcity levels and marginal economic returns. Multiple cropping systems, i.e., cultivating several crops in a growing season over the same land, can offer additional revenue opportunities but would lead to further decline in the water table, currently falling by 0.54 m per year in Punjab, the ‘Breadbasket of India’. Furthermore, smallholder farmers' return-on-investment remains challenged with consequent significant financial and social stress reported. Therefore, it is necessary to generate robust evidence to inform farmers' decision-making process to adopt multiple cropping systems. Multiple cropping systems can help ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of agricultural operations, which, possibly facilitated by precision irrigation, can ultimately improve the livelihood of farmers. In this regard, this research aims to propel the sustainable transition in Indian agriculture via generating real-world evidence that evaluates the environmental and financial viability of multiple cropping systems in Punjab, enabled by subsurface drip irrigation and fertigation techniques. Specifically, yield attributes, water balance, nutrient leaching, water productivity, net returns and benefit-cost ratio are assessed for the ‘summer mungbean – maize – wheat’ system, based on primary data from two growing seasons. The study findings demonstrate that subsurface drip irrigation and fertigation techniques could lead to circa 30% savings in irrigation water due to low drainage losses. In addition, a corresponding increase in farmers' net returns can be achieved compared to the conventionally used flood irrigation method in the ‘summer mungbean – maize – wheat’ cropping system.

Physiochemical Changes of Mung Bean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] in Responses to Varying Irrigation Regimes

Mungbean is one of the most powerful pulses providing substantial protein for human diets and fixing N to the soil, improving nutritional food security and agricultural sustainability. The production of summer mungbean in the tropics and subtropics is adversely affected by drought due to water scarcity caused by various factors as well as lack of rainfall. Irrigation at different growth phases is not a suitable solution. An environmentally friendly and economically viable answer is a convenient irrigation management option that will be available to farmers together with drought-tolerant genotypes. The study considered to determine the effect of differences between drought-tolerant and drought susceptible genotypes on water productivity response and physiological traits in mung beans. To quantify seed yield-related to irrigation at different growth stages eventually to quickly determine the most appropriate irrigation stage. One water stress tolerant mung bean genotype (BMX-08010-2) and one sensitive genotype (BARI Mung-1) were grown in the field with four different irrigation schedules along with water stress conditions (no irrigation) under rain shelter at Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Ishwardi, Pabna, Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in split plots with three replications, with irrigation schedules assigned in the main plot and mung bean genotypes assigned in the side plots. Water use efficiency ranged from 3.79 to 4.68 kg ha−1 mm−1 depending on irrigation regime, and mung bean seed yield of mung bean Water stress decreased plant water status, photosynthetic pigment and membrane stability index, and increased proline soluble sugar content. Treatments that received irrigation during two or three phases (I3 or I4) gave significantly higher yields than those that received irrigation during only one stage (I1 and I2) with the lowest yield. While the yield obtained ranged between 1145.44 kg ha−1 with seasonal irrigation of 277 mm (I4) and 555.14 kg ha−1 without irrigation (I0). The flowering stage (I3) was recorded as the most sensitive growth stage with an 18.15% yield reduction compared to the treatment with triple irrigation (I4). Also, depending on the irrigation sources, at least two irrigation phases should be provided at the triple leaf stage (I2, i.e., 20 DAS) and at the flowering stage (I3, i.e., 35 DAS) to achieve the highest yield. Genotypes that maintained the higher performance of physicochemical traits under water stress provided higher seed yield and promoted drought tolerance. Therefore, these parameters can be used as physiological and biochemical markers to identify and develop superior genotypes suitable for drought-prone environments.

Soil aggregation, glomalin and enzyme activities under conservation tilled rice-wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Although many farmers in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) are currently adopting zero tilled wheat (ZTW), limited information is available on the impacts of conservation tillage and conservation agriculture (CA) practices on soil aggregation, glomalin content, soil enzymatic activities and their inter-relationships. Hence, this study investigated the effects of direct seeded rice (DSR)-ZTW, DSR-ZTW with brown manuring (BM) or mungbean (Vigna radiata) residue retention (MBR) with rice residue retention on soil aggregation, glomalin content and soil enzymatic activities after four years under an irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system. Eight treatments, involving transplanted rice (TPR)-conventional tilled wheat (CTW), TPR-ZTW, DSR-ZTW and combinations of residue management in DSR-ZTW were evaluated for soil aggregation and microbial activities in the 0–5 and 5–15 cm layers. Plots under mungbean residue + DSR – ZTW + rice residue retention (RR) – ZT summer mungbean + wheat residue retention (DSR + MBR-ZTW + RR-ZTMB+WR) had better microbial indices (except soil ergosterol content) than TPR-CTW in the topsoil and higher MBC and dehydrogenase activity in the 5–15 cm layer than TPR-CTW plots. Plots under DSR + brown manuring (BM)-ZTW + RR (CA module 1) had ~53%, 26% and 32% higher ergosterol, glomalin and MBC contents, respectively, in the topsoil (0–5 cm layer) than DSR + BM-ZTW plots. Similarly, plots under CA module 2 had ~23% and 29% higher ergosterol and glomalin contents, respectively, than DSR + MBR-ZTW plots. Plots under CA module 2 also had ~47% more alkaline phosphatase activity than farmers’ practice in the topsoil. These plots also had ~247% and 100% more large macroaggregates in the 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil layers than TPR-CTW. However, there were less small macroaggregates in plots under CA module 2 than TPR-CTW in the topsoil. There were significant positive relationships between glomalin, carboxy-methyl cellulase activity and MBC with large macroaggregates in the topsoil and between glomalin and MBC in the 5–15 cm soil layer, indicating the role of glomalin in soil aggregation. Thus, DSR + MBR-ZTW + RR-ZTMB treatment resulted in an improved soil microbial environment after four years of rice–wheat cropping in the IGP, and this practice may be adopted. The enhanced soil properties was mainly due to residue retention of crop residues, zero tillage (ZT) in two crops (in the first three years) and triple ZT (in the fourth year), and growing of a legume crop in the conventional rice-wheat system in the IGP.