Productivity, quality and resource utilization by clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) as influenced by nutrient management

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2004 and 2005 at Bikaner to study the effect of nutrient management on yield, quality, nutrient uptake, water-use efficiency and economics of rainfed clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] under hot arid, rainfed condition of western Rajasthan. Nutrient application showed significant influence on productivity, quality and resource utilization (nutrient and water) of clusterbean. Application of chemical fertilizer @ 100% RDF (20 kg N + 17.5 kg P/ha) recorded 50.9, 59.3 and 36.2% higher seed yield, gum yield and water-use efficiency respectively over the control. Among biofertilizers tested, dual inoculation (Rhizobium + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria) registered maximum improvement in yield, quality and nutrient uptake, followed by single inoculation of Rhizobium and PSB. Integration of chemical fertilizer @ 50% RDF with dual inoculation of biofertilizer registered 43.7 and 52.9% higher seed and gum yields respectively over the control. Dual inoculation of biofertilizer (Rhizobium + PSB) integrated with chemical fertilizer @ 50% RDF fetched maximum net returns (Rs 8,213/ha) and B : C ratio (1.6 : 1).