Balanced fertilization of greengram cultivars on a multi-nutrient deficient Typic Ustochrept soil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2001-2002 on typic Ustochrepts of Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), to evaluate the performance of greengram [Vigna radiata var radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] cultivars to balanced fertilizer application. One level of nitrogen (20 kg/ha), 3 levels of phosphorus (8.75,17.5 and 26.2 kg/ha), 4 levels of sulphur (20,40 and 60 kg/ha), 1 level each of potassium (50 kg/ha), zinc (5 kg/ha) and boron (1 kg/ha) were superimposed one over the other in randomized block design with 3 replications. There was 2-fold increase in biomass with P application and 2.5-fold increase with S application. 'Samrat' and 'NM 1' responded to applied zinc, while 'PDM 11' and 'PDM 54' did not show any response. Higher fertility levels (26.2 kg P/ha and 40 kg S/ha) were not effective in increasing the nodulation or the yield levels. The benefit that greengram can derive from nutrient application may be limited to the level of their deficiency corrections in the soil. In spite of significant relationship observed between nodulation and seed yield (r = 0.688). this was not in commensurate with the extent of differences observed in seed yield (1 667 to 2 154 kg/ha).