Response of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) to phosphorus, sulphur and plant-growth regulators under semi-arid eastern plains zone of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during winter seasons (rabi) of 2001–02 and 2002–03 on a loamy sand soil of Jobner in Rajasthan, to study the response of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under different levels of phosphours (0, 25 and 50 kg P₂O₅/ha), sulphur (0, 25 and 50 kg S/ha) and plant-growth regulators (control, Tricontanol 2 ppm, naphthaline acetic acid 20 ppm and etheophon 100 ppm). An increase in P level up to 50 kg P₂O₅/ha and sulphur up to 50 kg S/ha significantly increased the yield-attributing characters; the seed, straw and biological yields; and the net returns of fenugreek. The N, P and S contents of fenugreek in seed and straw and their total uptake increased significantly with increase in the level of applied phosphorus and sulphur up to 50 kg/ha, except the P and S content in seed and straw, where significant increase was recorded only up to 25 kg P₂O₅/ha and 25 kg S/ha. Among different growth-regulators, the application of NAA @ 20 ppm proved significantly better than the control, tricontanol and etheophon.