Effect of phosphorus, sulphur and biofertilizers on yield, nutrient uptake and economy in fertilizer use in lentil (Lens culinaris)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2015–16 and 2016–17 to find out the effect of P, S and biofertilizers on yield, nutrient uptake and economy in fertilizer use in lentil cv. Pant Lentil-5. N, P, K and S contents in lentil grain were 3.57, 0.447, 0.67 and 0.205%, whereas in straw 2.19, 0.214, 0.52 and 0.156%, respectively. The corresponding total N, P, K and S uptake values in grain+straw were 51.76, 5. 63, 11.06 and 3.35 kg/ha. Higher levels of phosphorus (P₆₀), sulphur (S₃₀) and dual biofertilizers (Rhizobium+PSB) encouraged the uptake of these nutrients in grain and straw significantly over their preceding levels. The combined application of P₆₀S₃₀+Rhizobium+PSB further augmented these nutrients in grain and straw. Dual seed inoculation with biofertilizer proved most economical, and, therefore, use of costly chemical fertilizers may be curtailed to some extent.