|
PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to find out the effect of fertility levels, biofertilizers and brassinosteroid on fenugreek productivity and soil fertility. Three fertility levels [60, 80 and 100 % RDF (40 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 + 10 kg S/ha)] and three biofertilizer inoculations (Rhizobium, PSB and Rhizobium + PSB) in main plot and three concentrations of brassinosteroid (water spray, BR 0.25 ppm and BR 0.50 ppm) in sub plot were studied in split plot design with three replications. The significantly highest values of growth parameters, nodules/plant, yield attributes, seed yield (2245 kg/ha) and haulm yield (5236 kg/ha) and soil fertility parameters after crop harvest viz., OC (0.321%), available N, P and S were recorded with application of 100 % RDF over lower fertility levels. Dual inoculation of seed with Rhizobium + PSB gave significantly higher growth, nodules/plant, yield attributes, seed yield (2085 kg/ha) and OC %, available N, P and S over their sole application. Interaction of fertility levels and biofertilizers was also found significant in yield attributes and consequently in seed yield. Application of 100 % RDF + dual inoculation, being on a par with 80 % RDF + dual inoculation, gave the highest seed yield (2287 kg/ha). Foliar spray of brassinosteroid 0.50 ppm brought about significantly higher plant height (69.08 cm), branches/plant (5.48), yield attributes and seed yield (2098 kg/ha) over water spray and BR 0.25 ppm, however; its impact on soil fertility was non-significant. Thus, addition of 80 % RDF with dual inoculation and supplemented with foliar spray of brassinosteroid 0.50 ppm at 50 and 70 DAS is better for attaining higher fenugreek yield and soil health.