Yield and nutrient uptake of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L) as influenced by nitrogen, phosphorus and bio-fertilizer

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Sardarkrushinagar during 2006-07 and 2007-08 to study the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and bio-fertilizers on yield and nutrient dynamics of fenugreek. The experiment consisting of sixteen treatment combinations with two levels each of nitrogen (10 and 20 kg N/ha) and phosphorus (9 and 18 kg P/ha) as well as four levels of bio-fertilizer (control, seed inoculation with Rhizobium,PSB and Rhizobium+PSB) was laid in factorial RBD with three replications. Application of 20 kg N and 18 kg P/ha significantly increased plant height, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, seed yield, straw yield, net return, benefit cost ratio,N, P and K content and uptake by seed and straw of fenugreek over their respective lower levels. Combined inoculation of seed with Rhizobium and phosphorus solublising bacteria resulted the highest plant height , dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, seed yield, straw yield, net return, benefit cost ratio N, P & K content and uptake by seed and straw followed by Rhizobium. Thus, higher yield, net return, B:C and nutrient uptake in fenugreek can be realised with the application of 20 kg nitrogen, 18 kg P/ha with seed inoculation by Rhizobium and phosphorus solublising bacteria.