Impact of Phosphorous and Zinc Levels on the Productivity of Green Gram (Vigna radiate L.)

Abstract

Mung bean is one of the important Kharif pulses in Pakistan and is grown mainly for its edible seeds; therefore, fertilizers management is an important factor for improving mungbean growth and yield. A field experiment was conducted during the summer of 2013 at Palato Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Amir Muhammad Khan Campus Mardan, to determine the effect of phosphorus (P) and Zinc (Zn) on the yield and yield component of mungbean. The experiment consisted of four levels of P (0, 25, 50, and 75 kg ha^-1) and four levels of Zn (0, 5, 10, and 15 kg ha^-1). Data associated with the number of leaves and plant height illustrated that the higher number of leaves plant^-1 (8.8) by an average was observed when P was applied at the rate of 75 kg ha^-1 followed by 0 kg phosphorous (P) ha^-1 (8.7) and Zn (Zn) application at the rate of 10 kg ha^-1produced a maximum number of leaves plant^-1 (9) followed by 15 kg ha^-1(8.8) where 0 kg ZN ha^-1 resulted in (7.7). Similarly, Zn significantly affected plant height, while P and interaction between P and Zn levels were non-significant. The higher plant height (95.1 cm) was observed when P was applied at the rate of 75 kg ha^-1, followed by 50 kg P ha^-1 (93.6 cm). Higher plant height (95.8cm) was recorded when ZN was applied at the 5 kg ha^-1 followed by 10 kg ha^-1(95.1cm). Higher numbers of nodules (13.1) were observed with the application of 50 kg P ha^-1 followed by 75 kg P  ha^-1 (12.3), while the lowest (10.6) nodules were observed in the control plot. P application at the rate of 25 kg ha^-1 produced a higher grain yield than 75 and 50 kg ha-1 and Zn application at the rate of 5 kg ha-1 produced a higher grain yield than 10 and 15 kg ha^-1. Therefore, a lower rate of P 25 kg ha^-1 and Zn 5 kg ha^-1 is recommended for a higher yield of mungbean in the agro-ecological condition of Mardan.