Effect of Integrated nutrient management on growth parameters of moong bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Introduction

Moong bean is one most ancient & extensively grown legume crop of India, also known as green gram, poor man's meat and Marvel of Nature (Shrikant, 2010) [10] . It's belonged to Fabaceae family and it has a chromosome count of 2n=22. India is centre of origin of mungbean. It is selfpollinated crop and cultivated during the Kharif, rabi (in southern India) and summer season. Moong bean is crucial to Indian agriculture because its have short growth duration and its ability to adapt to various agro-climatic conditions. Worldwide, moongbean is cultivated over an area on roughly 7.3 million hectares, yielding approximately 5.3 million tonnes. The average yield is about 721 kg/ha (0.72 t/ha). Key mungbean-producing nations consist of India, Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Kenya, and Tanzania. Although it is extensively cultivated, the productivity is still quite low, suggesting considerable potential for enhancement through the use of superior varieties and better agronomic methods (Nair et al., 2020; World Veg, 2022) [, 14] . India is the world's largest producer of pulses. A staple of the Indian cuisine, pulses provide over 30% of the daily required amount of protein. With a productivity of 817 kg/ha, India, the world's greatest producer and consumer of pulses, generated 23.2 million tons of pulses from 29.34 million hectares of land (Agriculture statistics 23-2024) [1] . There is almost little chance of expanding the land used for pulse growing in India. As per the AICRPR's Annual Report (2022-23) in India moongbean is cultivated on approximately 5.5 million hectares with a production of 3.17 million tonnes and productivity of about 570 kg/ha. India produce 54% of the world's moong bean and accounts for 65% of its production (Anon 2020). In India leading states of moong cultivation are Rajasthan, Madhay Pradesh and Maharashtra. Its contains almost 3.19 million hectares area with 3 million total production and average productivity of 940kg/ha and Rajasthan contribute 11.75 lakh tonnes from 23.32 lakh hectare with average productivity of 503kg/ha (GOI,2023-24) [13] . Regarding Kharif pulses, the primary Rajasthan plays a significant role in Mung bean cultivation, accounting for 46% of the area and production. and 45%, respectively with Madhya Pradesh (9% and 14%), Maharashtra (9% and 8%), Karnataka (9% and 6%), Odisha (5% and 4%), Bihar (5% and 4%), Tamil Nadu (4% and 3%), Gujarat (3%and 4%), Andhra Pradesh (3% for each), and Telangana (2% for each) (IIPR, 2022) [4] . production and productivity of 2.01 million tons and 467 kg/ha, respectively, mung beans are grown on over 20.35 lakh hectares in India, accounting for 9.41% of all pulse production (Agriculture statistics 23-2024) [1] . In Uttar Pradesh, moongbean is an important pulse crop grown mainly during the Zaid and kharif seasons. The crop is cultivated on approximately 0.20-0.25 million hectares, with a total production of about 0.10-0.15 million tonnes. The average productivity in the state ranges between 500-600 kg/ha, which is slightly below the national average due to factors such as limited adoption of improved varieties, poor nutrient management, and biotic/abiotic stresses (Directorate of Economics & Statistics, GOI, 2023; ICAR-IIPR, 2023) [1,3] . INM system technique employs a well-balanced mix of inorganic fertiliser and organic manure to improve soil fertility and crop yield. INM consequences have given way to grow mungbean using various sources of nutrients i.e. inorganic (chemical fertilizers) and organic (Vermicompost) nutrient sources along with biofertilizers like Rhizobium and PSB. It intended to achieve four major goals viz., to maintain soil productivity, to ensure sustainable production, to prevent degradation of the environment and to reduce expenditure on the chemical fertilizers. It boosts productivity while reducing the amount of chemical fertilisers needed for cultivation, which results in consistent crop production and increased availability of both major and minor nutrients (Rautaray et al., 2003) [9] .

Materials and Methods

The present study, titled "Effect of Integrated nutrient management on growth parameters of moong bean (Vigna radiata L.)" was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries, Rama University, Kanpur (U.P.), Kanpur during the 2025. Geographically, this region falls under sub-tropical climate and it is situated at 26047' N latitude, 82012' E longitude and at an indo gangetic alluvial of eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. The annual rainfall of this region is about 1100 mm in which 85 per cent received during mansoon (mid June to end of September). The winter month are cold and dry and occasional frost occuring during the period. The temperature starts during from the month of February onwards and continue to rise up to June. The hot winds blow from South-West to North-East during summer. It was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications, each plot measuring 4.5 m × 3m=12m 2 . The experiment was comprised of nine treatments viz., T 1 Control, T 2 50% RDF, T 3 100%RDF, T 4 50%RDF+RH+PSB, T 5 50%RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC, T 6 50%RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC+ Rh +PSB, T 7 100%RDF+ Rh +PSB, T 8 100%RDF+ 2.5t/ha) VC and T 9 100%RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC+ Rh +PSB. Munbean variety 'local' was sown on 15 th June 2025 at 30 × 10 cm spacing with a seed rate of 20 kg/ha, following recommended irrigation and plant protection practices, with fertilizers applied basally and organic manures incorporated three weeks before sowing. Observations were recorded on growth parameters (plant population, plant height (cm), number of trifoliate leaves plant -1 , number of branches per plant, plant dry weight (g plant -1 ), nodules plant -1 , crop growth rate (g/m 2 /day), relative growth rate (g/g/day) and Total number of nodules per plants. Data recorded on different aspects of growth parameters were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis as per Gomez and Gomez, (1976). (Control). These results closely align with the findings presented by Singh and Yadav (2022) [12] , who noted the highest plant population in chickpea when utilizing an integrated approach that included RDF, vermicompost, Rhizobium, and PSB. Comparable results were also documented by Yadav et al. (2025) [15] , where the combined application of vermicompost and biofertilizers significantly enhanced the initial plant population and crop establishment in chickpea. Additionally, studies by Meena and Ram (2014) [7] provided further evidence, indicating that integrated nutrient management, which incorporated RDF, FYM/vermicompost, Rhizobium, and PSB, led to improved growth parameters and crop stand due to increased nutrient availability and enhanced soil fertility. Subsequent research by Singh et al. (2026) [11] also reported similar positive effects of integrated nutrient management practices on the growth and establishment of chickpea. Data pertaining plant height of moong bean there was a significant influence on growth parameters as seen in table 1 and 2 was observed from 15 DAS to at harvest showing some significant impact on the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth parameters at 15, 30, 45 DAS and at harvest of moong bean (Vigna radiata L.). The maximum plant height at 15, 30, 45 DAS and at harvest (13.00, 27.14, 48.17 and 58.78 cm) was recorded with application of 100%RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC+ Rh +PSB. Where as the minimum plant height at 15, 30, 45 DAS and at harvest (8.20, 16.43, 28.47 and 33.26 cm) was recorded with control. There was significant difference between different treatment combinations. The present findings are in close agreement with the results reported by Jakhar et al. (2020) [5] , who observed significantly higher plant height in chickpea with integrated application of RDF, vermicompost, and PSB. Similar findings were also reported by Jat et al. (2025) [6] , where integrated nutrient management practices involving RDF, vermicompost, and biofertilizers significantly improved plant height and other growth parameters of chickpea. The results are further corroborated by Meena and Ram (2014) [7] , who reported that combined application of RDF along with Rhizobium, PSB, and organic manures significantly enhanced plant height due to improved soil fertility and nutrient availability. Similar beneficial effects of integrated nutrient management on growth attributes of chickpea were also reported by Prakash et al. (2021) [8] The results of the current study align closely with the findings presented by Jakhar et al. (2020) [5] , who noted a significant increase in vegetative growth parameters, such as the number of leaves and branches, in chickpea when utilizing a combination of RDF, vermicompost, and biofertilizers. Comparable outcomes were documented by Singh and Yadav (2022) [12] , who discovered that integrated nutrient management strategies incorporating vermicompost, Rhizobium, and PSB markedly improved the growth characteristics of chickpea, attributed to enhanced nutrient availability and microbial activity. Furthermore, the current findings are corroborated by Meena and Ram (2014) [7] , who indicated that the joint application of RDF with organic manures and biofertilizers significantly boosted vegetative growth traits in chickpea, resulting from improved soil fertility and nutrient absorption. Raghuwanshi et al. (2025) also reported similar positive impacts of integrated nutrient management on leaf development and overall plant growth. Data pertaining CGR (g m-2 day-1) of moong bean there was a significant influence on CGR (g m-2 day-1) as seen in table 2 was observed from 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 DAS and 45 DAS-at harvest showing some significant impact on the effect of integrated nutrient management on CGR (g m-2 day-1) of moong bean (Vigna radiata L.). The maximum CGR (g m-2 day-1) at 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 DAS and 45 DAS-at harvest (10.44, 13.81, 10.67 and 8.55) was recorded with application of 100%RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC+ Rh +PSB. Where as the minimum CGR (g m-2 day-1) at 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 DAS and 45 DAS-at harvest (5.90, 8.20, 7.92 and 5.40) was recorded with control. There was no significant difference between different treatment combinations. Data pertaining relative growth rate of moong bean there was a significant influence on relative growth rate as seen in table 1 was observed from 15-30, 30-45 and 45 DAS-at harvest showing some significant impact on the effect of integrated nutrient management on relative growth rate of moong bean (Vigna radiata L.). The maximum relative growth rate 15-30, 30-45 and 45 DAS-at harvest (0.0580, 0.0299 and 0.0161) was recorded with application of 100%RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC+ Rh +PSB. Where as the minimum relative growth rate (0.0503, 0.0236 and 0.0146) was recorded with control. The current findings align closely with the results presented by Jakhar et al. (2020) [5] , who noted a significant increase in RGR and dry matter accumulation in chickpea through the integrated application of RDF, vermicompost, and biofertilizers. Comparable results were also documented by Singh and Yadav (2022) [12] , who observed that integrated nutrient management utilizing vermicompost, Rhizobium, and PSB significantly improved the growth parameters and physiological efficiency of chickpea plants. These results are further corroborated by Meena and Ram (2014) [7] , who indicated that the combined application of RDF, organic manures, and biofertilizers enhanced the RGR and biomass production due to improved nutrient availability and enhanced soil fertility status. Additionally, similar positive effects of integrated nutrient management on growth indices and biomass accumulation in chickpea were reported by Raghuwanshi et al. (2025). The highest Total number of nodules per plants (44.08) was observed in treatment 100%RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC+ Rh +PSB, Where as the lowest Total number of nodules per plants (25.19) was found in treatment control. There was significant difference between different treatment combinations. However, 50%RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC+ Rh +PSB are found statistically at par to 100% RDF+(2.5t/ha) VC+ Rh +PSB.The current findings align closely with the results presented by Singh and Yadav (2022) [12] , who noted a significantly greater nodulation in chickpea when utilizing a combined application of RDF, vermicompost, Rhizobium, and PSB. Comparable results were also documented by Jakhar et al. (2020) [5] , who discovered that integrated nutrient management practices improved root nodulation and nitrogen fixation through enhanced microbial activity and nutrient availability. These results are further corroborated by Meena and Ram (2014) [7] , who indicated that the application of organic manures in conjunction with Rhizobium and PSB significantly boosted both the number and dry weight of nodules in chickpea by enhancing soil fertility and rhizospheric conditions. Similar advantageous effects of integrated nutrient management on nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation in chickpea.

Results and Discussion

References

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