Effect of liquid biofertilizer consortia and micronutrient on yield and economics of kharif soybean (Glycine max L.)

Introduction

Soybean (Glycine max L.,) often referred to as "nature's gold," is a crucial crop with immense economic, agricultural, and industrial importance worldwide. Glycine max L. is among the most cost effective and nutrient rich crops, with high protein (36 -40%) and oil (20%) content (Raghav et al., 2019) [11] . The yield of soybean is a generally low because it is less cared crop and mostly grown under rainfed condition without biofertilizers. The application of biofertilizer into the soil leads to increase soil fertility and crop productivity (Yadav and Sarkar, 2019) [12] . Liquid biofertilizer reduces the use of chemical fertilizer by 15-40%. They have long shelf life, easy to produce and apply (Kumar et al., 2017) [6] . Biofertilizer consortia improve soil organic matter and microbial diversity, as noted by (Mishra et al., 2021) [9] . Adequate supply of these nutrients not only enhances crop productivity but also improves seed quality, ensuring higher protein and oil content in soybean grains (Fageria et al., 2011) [5] .

Materials and Methods

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of liquid biofertilizer consortia and micronutrient on yield and economics of kharif soybean (Glycine max L.) at Agronomy Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Dhule, during kharif season 2024. The treatments consist of Absolute control (T1), 100% RDF (50;75;45, N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1) (T2), 100% RDF + (seed treatment with Rhizobium + PSB @ 25 g each kg-1 seed) (T3), 75% RDF + (seed treatment with Rhizobium + PSB @ 25 g each kg-1 seed) (T4), 100% RDF + seed treatment with liquid bio fertilizer consortia @ 25 ml kg-1 seed (T5), 75% RDF + seed treatment with liquid bio fertilizer consortia @ 25 ml kg-1 seed (T6), 100% RDF + seed treatment with Rhizobium + PSB @ 25 g each kg-1 seed +Two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II @ 1% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS. (T7), 75% RDF + seed treatment with Rhizobium + PSB @ 25 g each kg-1 seed + Two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II @ 1% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS (T8), 100% RDF + Seed treatment with liquid bio fertilizer consortia @ 25 ml kg-1 seed + Two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II @ 1% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS (T9) and 75% RDF + seed treatment with liquid bio fertilizer consortia @25 ml kg-1 seed + Two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II @ 1% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS (T10). FYM 10 ton ha-1 was applied common for all treatment except T1. Liquid Biofertilizer consortia consists of Rhizobium + PSB+ PMB. The seed of soybean variety 'Phule Sangam' was sown on July 29, 2024 at spacing of 45 x 5 cm2.

Results and Discussion

Yield attributes and yield

The yield-contributing traits, such as the number of pods per plant, pod weight, number of grains per pod, grain weight per plant and test weight (g), were significantly enhanced under the treatment of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) combined with seed treatment using liquid biofertilizer consortia at a rate of 25 ml kg-1 seed, along with two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II at 1% at 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS) (T9) than rest of the treatments. The grain and straw yield of soybean (qt ha-1) was found to be significantly higher (26.00 and 37.00 qt ha-1, respectively). The lowest grain and straw yield are under absolute control (T1). The superior performance of treatment T9 compared to other treatments can be attributed to its comprehensive nutrient management approach. This strategy combines the benefits of a full dose of recommended fertilizers (RDF), liquid bio fertilizers and micronutrient foliar applications. The RDF provides an adequate supply of primary nutrients (N, P, K), while the liquid bio fertilizer enhances soil microbial activity, promoting nutrient solubilization and uptake. Additionally, the foliar application of Phule Micronutrient GR II addresses micronutrient deficiencies of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and Boron (B) during Key growth stages, ensuring rapid absorption through the foliage. Such a combination improves physiological parameters like leaf area index and crop growth rate, ultimately resulting in higher grain yield compared to treatments lacking one or more of these components. Similar result was reported by Mandale et al., (2020) [7] , Bhosale et al., (2024) [2] , Chandapure, et.al., (2024) [3] , Meher et al., (2024) [8] and Pawar et al., (2024) [10] .

Economics

The data recorded in Table 2 showed that among different bio fertilizer and micronutrient treatments, the cost of cultivation, gross and net monetary returns were found to be maximum (₹ 60365, ₹ 137400 and ₹ 77035 ha-1, respectively) in 100% RDF + seed treatment with liquid bio fertilizer consortia @25 ml kg-1 seed + two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II @ 1% at 30 and 45 DAS (T9) and it was found to be at par with the application of 75% RDF + Seed treatment with liquid bio fertilizer consortia @25 ml kg-1 seed + two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II @ 1% at 30 and 45 DAS (T10) (₹ 58801, ₹ 129380 and ₹ 70579 ha-1). The benefit-cost ratio was considerably maximum (2.28) in 100% RDF + seed treatment with liquid bio fertilizer consortia @ 25 ml kg-1 seed + two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II @ 1% at 30 and 45 DAS (T9) than other treatments under study followed by (T10) (2.20) and (T5) (2.20) was found to be an economically better treatment. Similar results were also stated by Avachar, et.al., (2024) [1] , Bhosale et al., (2024) [2] , Chandapure, et.al., (2024) [3] , Durgude, et.al., (2024) [4] , Meher et al., (2024) [8] and Pawar et al., (2024) [10] .

Conclusion

Based on the results it could be concluded that among different biofertilizer and micronutrient treatments application of 100% RDF along with seed treatment with liquid bio fertilizer consortia @ 25 ml Kg-1 seed and two foliar sprays of Phule Micronutrient GR-II @ 1% at 30 and 45 DAS most effective in higher yield and profitability of soybean crop as compared to other treatments.

References

1. Avachar RP, Ugale NS. Effect of foliar sprays of nutrients on growth, yield and quality of silage maize (Zea mays L.) production. Unpublished master's thesis, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra; 2024.
2. Bhosale AM, Danawale NJ, Solanke AV, Durgude AG, Patil MR. Effect of micronutrient management on growth and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. Saccharata). J Agric Res Technol. 2024;49(2):351-6.
3. Chandapure OB, Gethe RM, Danawale NJ, Mane MS. Effect of different foliar application of nutrients on yield, quality and economics of wheat. J Agric Res Technol. 2024;49(1):99-103.
4. Durgude AG, Kadam SR, Bagwan IR, Kamble BM. Response of Soil and Foliar Micronutrients Application on Nutrient Uptake and Seed Yield of Onion. Biochem Cell Arch. 2024;8(10S):S2685.
5. Fageria NK, Baligar VC, Clark RB. Micronutrients in crop production. Adv Agron. 2011;80:185-268.
6. Kumar BK, Syed I, Manasa K, Pawar A. Enhancement of nutrient availability in soil using microbial cultures in soybean grown on Vertisol. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci. 2017;6(5):2802-7.
7. Mandale AF, Mahajan PD, Jadhav AC, Mane JT, Desai DD. Effect of Liquid Formulations of PSB Inoculation on Growth and Yield of Mung Bean. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci. 2020;9(11):1729-52.
8. Meher AG, Rajput HJ, Bhadane RS, Patil VR. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed quality and yield of soybean. J Innovative Agric. 2024;11.
9. Mishra RR, Sahoo S, Behera P. Role of microbial consortia in sustainable agriculture: Enhancing soil organic matter and microbial diversity. Agric Res. 2021;10(2):143-57.
10. Pawar PP, Deore A, Wadile SC, Kathepuri JV, Kawale BS. consortia liquid bio-fertilizer on yield, quality and economics of kharif soybean (Glycine max L.). Int J Res Agron. 2024;7(8):802-4.
11. Raghav RS, Singh YV, Kumar M, Pradip D, Dubey S. STCR based nutrient management in soybean (Glycine max L.) for higher productivity and profitability. Indian J Agric Sci. 2019;89(10):108-11.
12. Yadav KK, Sarkar S. Biofertilizer: Impact on soil fertility and crop productivity under sustainable agriculture. Environ Ecol. 2019;37(1):89-93.