Response of lentil varieties to biofertilizers inoculation under different dates of sowing after rice

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bahraich to assess the performance of three lentil (Lens culinaris M.) varieties (NDL-1, HUL-57 and L-4594) at four biofertilizer inoculants (no inoculation, Rhizobium alone, PSB alone, and Rhizobium + PSB) with two dates of sowing (15 November and 30 November). There was a significant reduction in seed yield with delay in sowing from 15 November to 30 November. Lentil sown on 15 November (17.7 qha-1) out yielded to crop sown on 30 November with % increase in yield by 12.0 %. The crop sown on 15 November recorded higher net returns (Rs. 39,545 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.35) than 30 November sown lentil crop which in turn recorded (Rs. 33,595 ha-1) net returns, and benefit: cost ratio (2.0). Combined inoculation of Rhizobium + PSB was found effective for productivity and profitability point of view as compared to their alone inoculation. Combined inoculation recorded significant higher seed yield. (17.5 qha-1), net returns (Rs. 38,815 ha-1), B:C ratio (2.31). The variety L-4594 produced significantly higher yield of 17.5 q/ha as compare to NDL -1 (16.6 q/ha) and HUL-57 (16.1 q/ha).