Response of planting geometry and phosphorus doses on growth and yield of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during Zaid season 2023–24 at Agriculture Research Farm of Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh (U.P.) to evaluate the effect of planting geometry and phosphorus levels on growth and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with twelve treatment combinations comprising three planting geometries (30×10 cm, 30×15 cm and 30×20 cm) and four phosphorus levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha⁻¹) replicated three times. Growth parameters such as plant height, number of branches plant⁻¹, dry matter accumulation and leaf area index were recorded along with yield attributes and grain yield. Results revealed that closer spacing (30×10 cm) and phosphorus application up to 40–60 kg ha⁻¹ significantly enhanced vegetative growth and yield attributes. Maximum grain yield was recorded under 30×10 cm spacing combined with 40–60 kg phosphorus ha⁻¹. The findings suggest that optimized planting geometry and balanced phosphorus management improve mung bean productivity under Eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions.
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Introduction
Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is a vital pulse crop in India, known for its high nutritional value and ability to improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. It is particularly important in the cropping systems of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, where it is cultivated during the Kharif, Rabi, and summer seasons. Mung bean contributes significantly to the dietary protein intake of the population, with seeds containing approximately 24-26% protein (Dahiya et al., 1977) [1] . Spacing plays an important role in contributing to the higher yield because thick plant population will not get proper light for photosynthesis and high infestation of diseases. On the other hand, very low plant population will also reduce the yield. As a result, a typical population is required for good production. The benefit of optimal spacing in irrigated conditions is related to lower light competition because light is no longer a limiting factor when moisture is lacking, and the advantage of uniform spacing is gone. It is the most significant non-monetary input that may be modified to get the highest possible output per unit area. (Naga et al., 2018) [3] . Phosphorus is a critical nutrient that significantly influences the growth, development, and yield of mung bean. It plays a vital role in root development, energy transfer, and the overall metabolic processes of the plant. Proper phosphorus management can enhance the efficiency of nutrient uptake, leading to better plant growth and increased yield. Various studies, such as those by (Singh et al., 2018) [5] , have demonstrated the positive effects of optimal phosphorus doses on the growth and yield of mung bean. In Eastern Uttar Pradesh, the traditional practices often do not fully exploit the potential benefits of optimal planting geometry and phosphorus application. Studies have indicated that proper adjustments in these factors can lead to significant improvements in crop performance. For instance, Singh et al. (2018) [5] observed that altering row spacing and phosphorus levels led to a yield increase of up to 20% in mung bean, highlighting the importance of these agronomic practices. Optimizing crop geometry along with balanced phosphorus application is therefore essential for maximizing mung bean growth and yield. The present investigation was undertaken to identify suitable planting geometry and phosphorus dose for summer mung bean under Eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions.
Materials and Methods
The experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Farm of Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh (U.P.). The experimental site is situated about 8 km away from Azamgarh district headquarters. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with twelve treatment combinations replicated three times. The mung bean variety Pusa Vishal, a high yielding summer variety tolerant to Yellow Mosaic Virus and suitable for Eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions, was used for the study.
Results and Discussion
Different growth attributes were recorded at various stages of mung bean i.e., at 25 DAS, 50 DAS and at harvest. The results and discussion are described here under as follows:
Growth Parameters Initial Plant Population and Plant Height
Planting geometry significantly influenced plant population and height. Closer spacing (30×10 cm) recorded maximum plant population. Phosphorus application increased plant height significantly up to 60 kg ha⁻¹.
The result revealed that the effect of planting geometry was significantly more count in respect to initial plant population at closer planting geometry of 30 cm × 10 cm over broader planting geometry of 30 cm ×15 cm and 30 cm × 20 cm, respectively due to the closer planting geometry results in higher plant population per unit area, thus providing competition among plants for nutrients, space and light. (Singh and Singh, 2020) [4] was recorded with planting geometry 30 cm × 10 cm in planting geometry.
(Venktarao) Also found similar results on effect of phosphorus levels on plant height of summer moong.
Dry Matter Accumulation
Dry matter accumulation increased significantly under closer spacing and higher phosphorus levels.
The dry matter accumulation at all stages was also increased significantly under 30 cm × 15 cm planting geometry due to the competition of plants for solar and soil energy was probably the minimum due to which individual plants were benefitted for the growth and development processes. (Kadam and Khanvilkar, 2015) also reported higher dry matter accumulation at planting geometry of 30 cm × 15 cm over other treatments at different stages of crop growth.
Number of Branches and Leaf Area Index
The number of branches per plant and leaf area index were significantly influenced by phosphorus levels. The number of branches improved at all stages in 60 kg/ha phosphorus dose over all lower doses in present study due to phosphorus governing physiochemical processes and help in root development to enhance availability of nutrients and moisture which ultimately resulted in higher number of branches. (Nissa et al.) also observed that the number of branches increased significantly by the application of 60 kg/ha. Phosphorus dose than rest of phosphorus doses in the summer moong.
Yield Attributes
Phosphorus application significantly improved number of pods per plant, pod length and grains per pod.
It is also clear from the result presented in the foregoing chapter that planting geometry of 30 cm × 20 cm was considerably better than other geometry in respect of total number of pods/plant because of more interception of sunlight which helped increase in the number of pods per plant. (Hangsing et al., 2020) [2] also reported increase in number of pods per plant due to application of planting geometry.
Yield and Harvest Index
Grain yield increased significantly with phosphorus application up to 40-60 kg ha⁻¹. The interaction of 30×10 cm spacing and 40-60 kg P ha⁻¹ produced highest grain yield.
In present study the crop responded significantly up to 60 kg/ha phosphorus level due to low soil phosphorus and continued mining of soil phosphorus in exhaustive rotations followed prior to the present experiment. (Ahmad et al., 2015) reported that harvest index was statistically at par when plots were treated with 100 kg/ha phosphorus dose.
Table 6: Effect of planting geometry and phosphorus levels on grain yield (q ha⁻¹), straw yield (q ha⁻¹) and harvest index (%).
Treatments
Biological yield (q/ha) Grain yield (q/ha) Straw yield (q/ha) [7] also observed positive effect of phosphorus application on protein content of grain in summer moong. [6] .
Conclusion
The study revealed that planting geometry of 30×10 cm combined with 40-60 kg phosphorus ha⁻¹ significantly improved growth, yield and profitability of summer mung bean in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Adoption of these practices can enhance productivity and economic returns for farmers.
References
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- Hangsing T, Singh, Singh R. Effect of planting geometry and phosphorus on growth and yield of summer mung bean. Int J Chem Stud. 2020;8(4):1891-1895.
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- Singh P, Singh R. Effect of planting geometry and nutrient management on growth and yield of mung bean. J Plant Dev Sci. 2020;12(4):211-216.
- Singh V, Kumar A, Yadav R. Influence of row spacing and phosphorus levels on productivity of mung bean. Legume Res. 2018;41(3):412-417.
- Tahir M, Khalid UB, Waseem M. Evaluation of variation in benefit cost ratio and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) due to influence of different sources and levels of phosphorus. Custos Agronegocio Online. 2015;11(1):23-34.
- Tomar SS, Singh R, Singh. Response of phosphorus, sulphur and rhizobium inoculation on growth, yield and quality of soybean. Prog Agric. 2004;4(1):72-73.
- Venkata Rao C, Reddy PR, Naik SK. Effect of phosphorus fertilization on summer green gram. J Crop Weed. 2017;13(1):45-48.
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