Rhizobium biofertilizer in reducing the requirement of nitrogen fertilizer in cluster bean vegetable seed production in hot arid region

Abstract

Effectiveness of seed inoculation with Rhizobium on cluster bean grain yield was assessed in field experiments under graded doses of nitrogen application viz., 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg N/ha. The data revealed that inoculation significantly increased the cluster bean seed grain yield at all levels of nitrogen application including control. Application of 60 kg N/ha along with Rhizobium inoculation maximized cluster bean seed yield (13.28 q/ha) which was 152.47% higher and significantly better than the yield obtained at same level of N application without Rhizobium inoculation. However, it was statistically at par with 60 kg N application and 45 kg N/ha + Rhizobium (12.26 q/ha). Higher value yield, nitrogen use efficiency and apparent nutrient recovery were optimized under seed inoculation with Rhizobium as compared to non inoculated seeds. The results depicts the beneficial effects of Rhizobium inoculation on cluster bean grain yield resulting in saving of 13.37 to 21.73 kg/ha nitrogen and an enhanced seed yield ranging from 2.34 to 8.05 q/ha along with nitrogen application compared to control.