Response of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) to phosphorus and nitrogen application in Kandahar region of Afghanistan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University
(ANASTU) Kandahar, Afghanistan during summer 2015, to study the effect of nitrogen (N) and
phosphorus (P) application rates on growth and yield of mungbean. The treatments consisted of
three N-levels (25, 40 and 55 kg N ha–1), three P-levels (40, 60 and 80 kg P2O5 ha–1) and one absolute
control (N0P0). The experiment was conducted using a factorial RCBD replicated thrice. Application
of 55 kg N ha–1 showed significant improvement in growth attributes viz., plant height, number of
branches plant–1, total dry matter and straw yield (5.1 t ha–1) over control and 25 kg N ha–1 level.
Application of 40 kg N ha–1 showed highest number of pods plant–1 , seeds pod–1, 1000-seed weight,
grain yield (2.1 t ha–1). P application at 80 kg P2O5 ha–1 showed greater plant height, higher number
of branches plant–1, total dry matter and straw yield (5 t ha–1). However, 60 kg P2O5 ha–1 resulted in
highest number of pods plant–1, seeds pod–1, 1000-seed weight and grain yield (2.1 t ha–1). The
interaction effect of N and P revealed that yield attributes and yield were highest with the application
of 40 kg N ha–1 and 60 kg P2O5 ha–1. Overall, this study indicates that the mungbean should be
fertilized with 40 kg N ha–1 and 60 kg P2O5 ha–1 in semi-arid region of Afghanistan.