Growth, nodulation and yield components of mung bean (Vigna radiata) as affected by phosphorus in combination with rhizobium inoculation

Abstract

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen through bacteria living in its root nodules. To study the influence of phosphorus (P) fertilization and Rhizobium inoculation on the nodulation, growth and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata), a pot experiment was conducted in wire house, during spring season of 2010 at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. A composite soil sample was collected from the research area and analysis of physical and chemical properties of the soil was done. Seeds of mungbean cv, NM-92 were inoculated with Rhizobium and sown in pots containing 14 kg soil. Phosphorus was applied at 1.2, 2.4 and 3.6 g per 14 kg soil in each pot alone and along with inoculation of Rhizobium phaseoli except in control pot. The source of P was single super phosphate that was mixed with soil before filling the pots. It was noted that combined use of P and inoculant enhanced the number of nodules per plant. The maximum nodules, 8.67 per plant, were recorded where 3.6 g P along with Rhizobium inoculation was applied. Phosphorus application along with Rhizobium inoculation increased the plant height significantly (13.2%) over control. Maximum increase in plant height at maturity, total number of pods and number of grains per pod were also recorded where 3.6 g of phosphorus along with Rhizobium inoculation was applied.

Inoculation and Soil Texture Effects on Yield and Yield Components of Mungbean

“…Anjum, Ahmed, and Rauf (2006) reported that Rhizobium inoculation of mungbean seeds increased the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed weight and seed yield over the control. Rhizobium inoculation also increased plant height, number of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and weight of seeds per plant, and N and phosphorous (P) accumalation compared to the control (Hussain et al, 2014). Molla, Solaiman, Jahiruddin, Mridha, and Khanam (2011) observed that inoculation of seed with Rhizobium produced a higher number of nodules per plant, plant height, number of pod per plant and seed yield.…”

“…However, under unfavorable conditions such as very acidic and heavy-textured soils, or very hot, dry conditions, Rhizobium survival and crop establishment can be constrained, thereby limiting root nodulation and yield (Kirchhof & So, 1995;Rahmianna, Adisarwanto, Kirchhof, & So, 2000). Therefore, seed inoculation with a strain of Rhizobium, appropriate to the cultivar and soil texture is recommended for improving growth and yield of mungbean (Hussain et al, 2014;Sharma & Khanna, 2010). Anjum, Ahmed, and Rauf (2006) reported that Rhizobium inoculation of mungbean seeds increased the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed weight and seed yield over the control.…”