To study the effect of Rhizobium culture and nitrogen level performance on growth attributes and yield of mung bean crop (Vigna radiata L.)

Introduction

Pulses referred to as food legumes, and are secondary to cereals in production and consumption in India. These are drought resistant and prevent soil erosion due to their deep root system and good ground cover hence; pulses are called as "Marvel of Nature". The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends per capita consumption of pulses @ 80 g day-1 and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended a minimum consumption of 47 g per day. The protein hunger is the major problem in the country, were majority of population adopt cereals and millet based dietary habits" (Anonymous, 2020) [1] . "Green gram is known as the "Queen of Pulses" because of its superior nutritional value. Green gram is native to East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Green gram grains contain 22-28% protein, 60-65% carbohydrates, 1.0-1.5% fat, minerals 3.5%, 3.5-4.5% fibre and 4.5-5.5% ash (Babhulkar et al., 2000) [4] . These seeds are more flavorful, nutritious, digestible, and nonflatulent than other pulses growing in the nation. It is a good source of protein with high quality lysine (460 mg g-1 N), tryptophan (60 mg g-1 N) and low anti-nutritional components. It also has a high concentration of ascorbic acid and riboflavin with a value of 0.21 mg 100-1 g" (Azadi et al., 2013) [3] . It is India's third most significant pulse crop, accounting for 16 and 10% of total pulse acreage and production, respectively Choudhary et al., 2024 [8] . Green gram is grown on 4.5 million hectares in India, with a production of 2.5 million tonnes and a productivity of 548 kg per hectare (Anonymous, 2020) [1] . Green gram is mainly cultivated in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, U.P., Maharashtra, Karnataka Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Improper application of synthetic fertilizers in agricultural field will leads to various health risks and environmental challenges. Save our environment and our crops we have to follow eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture. Reducing the use of harmful chemicals and fertilizers decrease the ratio of this type of problems. In current era of rapidly growing population is exerting significant pressure on agriculture to meet their nutritional food requirement throughout the world and to achieve the current demand of food requirement, farmers are depending more on chemical fertilizers to achieve maximum productivity per unit area. However, the efficiency of the chemical fertilizers already reached a plateau due to their unsystematically use and resulted in poor soil fertility status of the agriculture fields, In addition to accumulation of toxic substances in the harvested produces and the cost of inorganic fertilizers is increasing enormously to an extent that they are not affordable by the small and marginal farmers (Brady and Weil, 2008) [7] . In this context, there is a need to identify the suitable substitute in place of chemical fertilizers which are economically cheaper and eco-friendly. At present, the use of organic fertilizers either bulky or liquid organic manures plays an important role to sustain the soil health as well as productivity of the crops". Bio-fertilizers, a component of integrated nutrient management are considered to be cost effective, eco-friendly and renewable source of non-bulky, low cost of plant nutrient supplementing chemical fertilizers in sustainable agriculture system in India" (Babhulkar et al., 2000) [4] . Their role assumes a special significance in the present context of high costs of chemical fertilizers. Considering these above facts, the present study was conducted to assess the effect of organic manures and biofertilizer on yield attributes, seed yield and economic of mung bean (Vigna radiata) (Balakumbahan et al., 2010 [5] .

Materials and Methods

The experiment was carried out in research farm of the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo Bathinda, Punjab, situated in Grid zone at the latitude of 29 0 96"N and longitude 75 0 12"E with an altitude of 201 meters from mean sea level (MSL). The climate of experimental site is semiarid and sub-tropical dominated with extreme weather conditions having hot and dry summer and cold winter, where maximum temperature goes up to 45 0 C during summer and steeps down to a chilling temperature of as low as 1 -2 0 C during winter. The trail was laid out in Split plot design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of 2 Rhizobium methods control and Rhizobium (350 g per hec) and 5 Nitrogen level Nitrogen (0 kg per hec.), Nitrogen (6 kg per hec.), Nitrogen (12 kg per hec.), Nitrogen (18 kg per hec.), Nitrogen (24 kg per hec.).

Results and Discussion

Growth Attributes

Plant height crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest plant height at 20 DAS was recorded in 24 kg N ha -1 (23.65 cm) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (23 cm) and which was again significantly higher than 12 kg N ha -1 (22.71 cm). Significantly lowest plant height was observed in the 0 kg N ha -1 (21.28 cm). While at 40 DAS Plant height crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest plant height at 40 DAS was recorded in 24 kg N ha -1 (44.89 cm) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (44.22 cm) and which was again significantly higher than 12 kg N ha -1 (43.95 cm). Significantly lowest plant height was observed in the 0 kg N ha -1 (42.51 cm) oraiah, 2013 [6] . Dry matter accumulation significantly varies due to different Rhizobium culture. At 20 DAS of sowing the result is nonsignificant. Highest dry matter accumulation observed in Rhizobium culture (350 gm per hec) 8.56 g/plant, while minimum was observed in 6.30 g/plant. While At 40 DAS and at harvesting stage of the result is significant. Highest dry matter accumulation observed in Rhizobium culture (350 gm per hec) 19.79, 17.53 g/plant, while minimum was observed in 41.46, 34 g/plant. dry matter accumulation crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest dry matter accumulation at 20 DAS was recorded in 24 kg N ha -1 (8.17 g/plant) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (7.9 g/plant) and which was again significantly higher than 12 kg N ha -1 (7.6 g/plant). Significantly lowest dry matter accumulation was observed in the 0 kg N ha -1 (6.35 g/plant) Cochran and Cox, (1959) [10] . While at 40 DAS and at harvesting dry matter accumulation crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest dry matter accumulation at 40 DAS was recorded in 24 kg N ha -1 (19.40, 40.07 g/plant) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (19.13. 37.87 g/plant) and which was again significantly higher than 12 kg N ha -1 (18.87, 37.54 g/plant). Significantly lowest dry matter accumulation was observed in the 0 kg N ha -1 (17.58, 36.25 g/plant) Choudhary et al., 2024 [9] . No. of branches per plant significantly varies due to different Rhizobium culture Highest No. of branches per plant observed in Rhizobium culture (350 gm per hec) 9.75, while minimum was observed in control plot 7.15. No. of branches per. plant crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest No. of branches per plant was recorded in 24 kg N ha -1 (9.58) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (9.06) and which was again significantly higher than 12 kg N ha -1 (8.72). Significantly lowest No. of branches per plant was observed in the 0 kg N ha -1 (6.75) (Eswaran and Mariselvi, 2016) [13] .

Yield Attributes

Pod length crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest Pod length was recorded in 24 kg N ha - 1 (7.11 cm) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (6.92 cm) and which was again significantly higher than 12 kg N ha -1 (6.55 cm). Significantly lowest Pod length was observed in the 0 kg N ha -1 (5.61 cm). Yadav and Singh (2024) showed similar results where Rhizobium culture enhanced the pod length. It is the most important component of mung bean crop. Pod length is directly related to the number of pod and grains per pod and hence this is an important determinant of grain yield. Pod length may also serve as one of the criteria for assessing the grain yield in legumes crops. Nitrogen dose significantly affects the Pod length. This is due to that more will be the optimum availability of nitrogen doses more will be the length of Pod. Nitrogen significantly extended days to heading and physiological maturity. Pod length significantly increased with increasing nitrogen levels. The increase might be, in pod elongation, brought about by cell division and expansion as the result of nitrogen addition (Aslam et al., 2010) [2] . It is clearly observed that the Test Weight increased with increasing dose of Rhizobium culture and nitrogen fertilizer amount. Highest Test Weight was observed in treatment Rhizobium culture (350 gm per hec) 38.48, while minimum was observed in control plot 35.45. Test Weight crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest Test Weight was recorded in treatment those are treated by 24 kg N ha -1 (38.52) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (37.44) and which was again at par than 12 kg N ha -1 (37.05).

Significantly lowest Test Weight was observed in the 6 kg N ha - 1 (36.46) and 0 kg N ha -1 (35.34). Grain size of moong bean increase when Rhizobium culture and nitrogen fertilizer amount application was increased; this might be because Rhizobium culture and nitrogen fertilizer amount supplied the essential elements that enhanced the content of the grains, increasing the grain size (Azadi et al., 2013) [3] . It is clearly observed that the seed yield kg/ha increased with increasing dose of Rhizobium culture and nitrogen fertilizer amount. Highest seed yield kg/ha was observed in treatment Rhizobium culture (350 gm per hec) 1201 kg/ha, while minimum was observed in control plot 944 kg/ha. seed yield kg/ha crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest seed yield kg/ha was recorded in treatment those are treated by 24 kg N ha -1 (1207 kg/ha) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (1125 kg/ha) and which was again at par than 12 kg N ha -1 (1083 kg/ha). Significantly lowest seed yield kg/ha was observed in the 6 kg N ha -1 (1022 kg/ha) and 0 kg N ha -1 (925 kg/ha). Nitrogen application can improve plant growth and increase grain yield in high-density planting. Grain yield will increase with the increase the growth and yield attributing characters like number of branches, number of leaves, Pod length, number of grains per pod, test weight De Britto and Girija, (2006) [11] . It is clearly observed that the straw yield kg/ha increased with increasing dose of Rhizobium culture and nitrogen fertilizer amount. Highest straw yield kg/ha was observed in treatment Rhizobium culture (350 gm per hec) 2477 kg/ha, while minimum was observed in control plot 2043 kg/ha. straw yield kg/ha crucially varies due to variable treatment application of nutrients. The highest straw yield kg/ha was recorded in treatment those are treated by 24 kg N ha -1 (2457 kg/ha) which is significantly higher with 18 kg N ha -1 (2365 kg/ha) and which was again at par than 12 kg N ha -1 (2311 kg/ha). Significantly lowest straw yield kg/ha was observed in the 6 kg N ha -1 (2219 kg/ha) and 0 kg N ha -1 (1947 kg/ha). The availability of more nitrogen increased plant height, number of branches, dry matter accumulation which lead to increase in straw yield Devakumar et al. (2008) [12] .

Conclusion

On the basis of the results from experimentation, it can be concluded that the use of Rhizobium is the best result at all growth, yield and economic parameters as more utilization of solar energy and hence there will be reduced competition among the plants for light, water and nutrients due to wider spacing. As with the Rhizobium (350 gm per hec) the proper germination of the plants over control because the seeds were treated by culture might be due to more harvesting of solar radiation which resulted in more synthesis as well as planting geometry in wheat affects the biomass and other yield components. On the other hand, Nitrogen application with 24 kg N ha -1 showed the best result over the other nitrogen levels at all growth, yield and economic parameters.

References

1. Anonymous. Pulses revolution -From food to nutritional security. New Delhi (India): Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAC & FW), Government of India; 2020.
2. Aslam M, Hussain N, Zubair M, Hussain SB, Baloch MS. Integration of organic and inorganic sources of phosphorus for increased productivity of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.). Pak J Agric Sci. 2010;47(2):111-4.
3. Azadi E, Rafiee M, Hadis N. The effect of different nitrogen levels on seed yield and morphological characteristics of mung bean in the climate condition of Khorramabad. Ann Biol Res. 2013;4(2):51-5.
4. Babhulkar PS, Wandile RM, Badole WP, Balpande SS. Residual effect of long-term application of FYM and fertilization on soil properties (Vertisols) and yield of soybean. J Indian Soc Soil Sci. 2000;48:89-92.
5. Balakumbahan R, Rajamani K. Effect of bio-stimulants on growth and yield of senna (Cassia angustifolia). J Hortic Sci Ornamental Plants. 2010;2(1):16-8.
6. Bengaluru (India): University of Agricultural Sciences; 2013.
7. Brady NC, Weil RR. The nature and properties of soil. 14 th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall; 2008.
8. Choudhary R, Diwakar AK, Meena AK, Shukla S, Prakash C. Assessment of fertility status of soils under different cropping patterns in rainfed semi-arid eastern plain of Rajasthan, India. Int J Environ Climate Change. 2024;14(5):192-204.
9. Choudhary R, Naga IR, Latare AM, Goyal M, Choudhary D. Survey and characterization of ground water quality and its effect on soil properties in Malpura block of Tonk district Rajasthan, India. J Exp Agric Int. 2024;46(6):293302.
10. Cochran WG, Cox GM. Experimental designs. Bombay: Asia Publishing House; 1959.
11. De Britto JA, Girija SL. Investigation on the effect of organic and inorganic farming methods on black gram and mung bean. Indian J Agric Res. 2006;40(3):204-7.
12. Devakumar N, Rao GGE, Shubha S, Khan I, Nagaraj, Gowda SB. Activities of Organic Farming Research Centre. Navile, Shimoga (India): University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru; 2008.
13. Eswaran N, Mariselvi S. Efficacy of vermicompost on growth and yield parameters of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Int J Sci Res Publ. 2016;2(6):95-108.