Effect of fertility levels and weed management on number of nodules and yield of lentil

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to examine the effects of fertility levels and weed management practices on Nodules formation and yield of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design comprising six main plot treatments viz. Control (F0), 100% RDF (F1), 75% RDF + 2% urea spray at pre-flowering and pod initiation stage (F2), 75% RDF + Plantgro 9 kg/ha at 35, 50 and 65 DAS as foliar spray (F3), 100% RDF + 2% urea spray at pre-flowering and pod initiation stage (F4), 100% RDF+ Plantgro 9 kg/ha at 35, 50 and 65 DAS as foliar spray (F5) and four sub-plot treatments viz. unweeded (W0), weed free (W1), pendimethalin 1 kg a.i./ha (W2), imazethapyr 37.5 g a.i./ha (W3). The number of nodules plant-1 were recorded at 30, 60 and 90 DAS. It was observed that the number of nodules varied significantly due to varying fertility levels and weed management treatments. A close inspection of the data revealed that 100% RDF +Plantgro 9 kg ha-1 recorded significantly highest nodule number plant-1 followed by 100% RDF + 2% urea spray as compared to rest of the treatments during both the years of study. Application of 75% RDF +Plantgro 9 kg ha-1 recorded significantly highest grain yield (1243 and 1323 kg ha-1) followed by 100% RDF + 2% urea spray (1105 and 1168 kg ha-1) as compared to rest of the treatments during both the years of study.