Response of summer mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) to interactive effect of various sulphur levels and soil fertility treatments

Abstract

Summer mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is an important legume crop with significant potential to improve soil health and nutritional outcomes. Mung bean production is lower due to factors such as shattering losses, pest and disease damage, irregular supply of nutrient fertilizers and limited resource availability. Sulphur is a critical nutrient for protein synthesis and nitrogen fixation which is often overlooked despite its importance. Although several studies have examined the effects of individual sulphur and soil fertility treatments on summer mung bean, there is a notable gap in understanding the interactive effects of varying S levels with different soil fertility treatments. Addressing this gap is crucial for developing efficient nutrient management strategies and sustainable production tailored to summer mung bean cultivation. The present investigation on the interactive effects of sulphur and soil fertility treatments is essential for optimizing nutrient management and enhancing crop productivity. The field experiment was carried out in split plot design with three sulphur levels (0, 30, 60 kg ha-1) in main plot and five soil fertility treatments in sub plot (control, consortium biofertilizer, FYM, RDF and combined application of consortium biofertilizer+ FYM+RDF) with three replications at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. The results revealed that there was significant increase in growth, yield attributes and yield at 60 kg S ha-1 followed by 30 kg S ha-1 and the application of FCB+FYM+RDF produced highest growth, yield attributes and yield followed by FRDF, FFYM and FCB whereas the interaction effect was significant in plant height, number of leaves plant-1, number of nodules plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, stover yield and harvest index.