Effect of different levels of zinc and rhizobium inoculation conjugated with recommended NPK on soil properties, growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.)

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted on effect of different levels of zinc and rhizobium inoculation conjugated with recommended NPK on soil properties, growth and yield of green gram in kharif season, 2024 at the Crop Research Farm of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications consisting of 8 treatment combinations (NPK100%+Zn0+Rh0, NPK100%+Zn0+Rh100, NPK100%+Zn3+Rh0, NPK100%+Zn3+Rh100, NPK100%+Zn6+Rh0, NPK100%+Zn6+Rh100, NPK100%+Zn9+Rh0 and NPK100%+Zn9+Rh100), the treatment includes four zinc levels (control, @3 kg/ha, @6 kg/ha, @9 kg/ha) and two rhizobium levels (Rh0 and Rh100). The results experiment depict that application of 9 kg Zn/ha with rhizobium inoculation significantly improved soil properties. The maximum percent organic carbon (0.44 %), available nitrogen (244.40 kg/ha), available phosphorous (24.30 kg/ha), available potassium (235.86 kg/ha) and extractable zinc (0.97 mg/kg) were recorded in treatment T8 (NPK100%+Zn9+Rh100). Notably, 6 kg Zn/ha with rhizobium boosted plant growth and yield parameters. The maximum plant height (43.19 cm), number of nodules (12.56/plant), number of pods (23.30 pods/plant), test weight (39.62 g), grain yield (20.94 Q/ha) and stover yield (24.15 Q/ha) were recorded in treatment T6 (NPK100%+Zn6+Rh100).