Role of bio-fertilizers and Panchagavya in enhancing growth parameters and yield in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Abstract

A field investigation on lentil was carried out during the Rabi season of 2024-2025 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The study evaluated three bio-fertilizers (Rhizobium, PSB, and VAM at 20 g/kg seed) in combination with foliar applications of Panchagavya at varying concentrations (2%, 4%, and 6%). The field investigation followed a Randomized Block Design, involving nine treatment combinations replicated three times. Treatment 5, consisting of PSB inoculation at 20 g/kg seed along with a 4% Panchagavya foliar spray, demonstrated marked improvement in growth and yield attributes. This treatment attained the greatest plant height (52.06 cm), maximum number of branches per plant (22.10), nodules per plant (23.93), and plant dry biomass (3.310 g). It also recorded the highest reproductive traits, including pods per plant (112.9), seeds per pod (2.40), test weight (34.42 g), coupled with superior seed yield (2.18 t/ha) and stover yield (2.97 t/ha), thereby confirming its agronomic advantage.