Effect of irrigation regimes, planting and irrigation methods and arbuscular mycorrhizae on productivity, nutrient uptake and water use in summer greengram (Vigna radiata var radiata)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the summer seasons of 2004 and 2005 to assess the effects of irrigation regimes, planting and irrigation methods and arbuscular mycorrhizae on the productivity, nutrient uptake, water economizalton and economics of summer greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var radiata] on sandy loam soil of Delhi. Two irrigation regimes (I1, 2 irrgations 1 each at pre-flowering and pod filling stages and I1, 3 irrigations each at branching, pre-flowering and pod filling stages) were allotted in main plots and 8 combinations of planting and irrigation methods (M1, flat bed planting and irrigation; M2 , ridge planting and furrow imgation, M3 , ridge planting and alternate furrow irrigation and M4, furrow planting and irrigation) and arbuscular myocrrhizae (V0,control and V1,inoculation) in sub plots. Results revealed that it is advantageous to apply 3 irrigations to summer greengram at branching, preflowering and pod filling stages by furrow planting and irrigation method with arbuscular mycorrhizae inoculation under the agro climatic conditions of north western India.The highest consumptive use of water, nutrient uptake, benefit: cost ratio and water use efficiency were recorded with furrow planting and irrigation method and arbuscular mycorrhizae combination. However, 2 irrigations recorded higher water use efficiency (43.82 kg/ha-cm) than 3 imgations (43.03 kg/ha-cm).