Effect of phosphorus and zinc on growth and yield of black gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Introduction

Black gram (Vigna mungo) has significant effects on agriculture, soil health, and human nutrition. As a leguminous crop, it plays an important role in improving soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic association with Rhizobium bacteria, thereby enriching the soil and reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers. Its cultivation enhances soil structure and organic matter content, which benefits subsequent crops in rotation. Black gram is also valued nutritionally, as its seeds are rich in protein, carbohydrates, and essential minerals, making it an important component of a balanced diet, especially in vegetarian populations. Additionally, the crop supports sustainable agriculture due to its low water requirement, short growth duration, and adaptability to various Agroclimatic conditions, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability. Black gram, being a pulse crop requires high amount of phosphorus (P). The adequate supply of phosphorus to legume is more important than that of nitrogen because it has beneficial effect on nodulation and nitrogen fixation, root development, growth and yield (Kumar, 2008) [12] . The most deficient micronutrient in Indian soils is zinc, in fact, zinc is regarded as the third most important limiting nutrient in crop production after nitrogen and phosphorus (Takkar and Randhawa, 1980) [39] . Zinc is involved in the channelization of photosynthesis during reproductive stage by way of its involvement in electron transfer (Baker et al., 1982) [1] . Among the interactions involving macro and micro-nutrients the interaction between phosphorus and zinc is of greatest potential significance. This interaction is often antagonistic especially when soil is deficient in both the nutrients and only one of them is applied through fertilizers. Phosphorus is second most critical plant nutrient, but for pulses, it assumes primary importance, owing to its important role in root proliferation and thereby atmospheric nitrogen fixation. The yield and nutritional quality of pulses is greatly influenced by application of phosphorus. It plays a key role in various physiological processes like root growth and dry matter production, nodulation and nitrogen fixation and in metabolic activities especially in protein synthesis. It also helps in establishing seedling quickly and hastens maturity as well as improves the quality of crop produce. (J M Kokani et al.2014) [8] .

International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research 2026; SP-10(5): 744-747

Materials and Methods

This experiment was carried out during kharif 2025 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, UP, which is located at 25.28oN latitude, 81.54oE longitude and 98 m altitude above the mean sea level. This area situated on the right side of the river Yamuna by the side of Prayagraj Rewa Road about 5 km away from Prayagraj, city. The climate of this region is typically sub-tropical and semi-arid with monsoon commencing by the third week of June and with drawing by end of September. The temperature reached up to 48oC and in winter it goes down to as low as 2-3oC. During the summer hot scorching winds known as "Loo" and frost during winter months are common features. Experimental mechanical analysis of the soil was sand 59.50 (%), silt 24.10 (%), clay 16.40 (%) and textural class silt loam, while chemical analysis of soil was available nitrogen (242 kg/ ha), available phosphorus (24.50 kg/ ha), available potassium (95.00 kg/ ha), organic carbon (0.40%), pH (7.50) and EC (0.19 DS/ m). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of 2 levels of phosphorus (20,40kg P/ha) and Zinc (10, 15,20 and 0.5% at 15 DAS and 30 DAS) along with recommended doses of nitrogen and potash and a control (20-40-20 kg N-P-K/ha). [14,7,6] . Significantly Maximum number of seeds per pod (7.20) was recorded with the treatment in application of Phosphorus 40kg/ha + Zinc 0.5% (30DAS) and minimum was recorded in control (20:40:20) (6.20), whereas T6 and T3 was statistically at par with T7. Higher yield attributes and yield were noticed with the combined foliar spray of secondary nutrients and zinc which might be attributed due to added advantage of zinc to secondary nutrients leading to optimum availability of nutrients for luxurious crop growth and efficient partitioning of assimilates from source to sink (Prasanna et al., 2013) [7] . Choudhary et al. (2014) [1] found higher seed yield with foliar spray of S and Zn, B. significantly Maximum seed yield (1683 kg/ha) was recorded with the treatment in application of Phosphorus 40kg/ha + Zinc 20kg/ha and minimum was recorded in Treatment1 (835 kg/ha). Higher yield attributes and yield were noticed with the combined foliar spray of secondary nutrients and zinc which might be attributed due to added advantage of zinc to secondary nutrients leading to optimum availability of nutrients for luxurious crop growth and efficient partitioning of assimilates from source to sink (Prasanna et al., 2013) [7] . Choudhary et al. (2014) [1] found higher seed yield with foliar spray of S and Zn. significantly increase in grain and straw yield could be attributes to the fact that nutrients uptake by the crop plant and ultimately photosynthesis activities, resulting laid down the foundation of higher yield. The results in respect of grain and straw yields are in agreement with the results advocated by Mishra and Tiwari (2002), Sahu and Singh (2009) and Ram and Katiyar (2013) [28, 41, 42] . Maximum harvest index (38.57%) was recorded with the treatment of Phosphorus 40kg/ha + Zinc 10kg/ha over all the treatments, minimum was recorded in treatment1 Phosphorus 20kg/ha + Zinc 10kg/ha whereas Phosphorus 40kg/ha + Zinc 20kg/ha at par with the treatment 5. Economic analysis shows that Phosphorus 40kg/ha + Zinc 20kg/ha was the most intensive yet profitable treatment, recording the highest cost of cultivation (47,340 ₹/ha) alongside superior gross and net returns (118,006.36 ₹/ha). In contrast, the lowest phosphorus and zinc levels resulted in the minimum cost (41,240 ₹/ha) but significantly lower financial gains. Ultimately, the Phosphorus 40kg/ha + Zinc 20kg/ha application proved the most efficient, achieving the maximum benefit-cost ratio of 2.49 compared to the minimum of 1.0.

Results and Discussion

References

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