Performance of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) varieties at various fertilizer levels and biofertilizers inoculation
Abstract
A field study was conducted during winter seasons of 2003–04 and 2004–05 at Udaipur to assess the performance of two fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) cultivars (RMt-1 and RMt-303) at 3 fertilizer levels (control, 20 + 8.6 kg N + P/ha and 40 + 17.2 kg N + P/ha) and 4 biofertilizer inoculations (uninoculated control, Rhizobium alone, PSB alone and Rhizobium + PSB). Application of 40 + 17.2 kg N + P/ha proved optimum for fenugreek as it significantly improved growth, yield attributes, yield (1.76 tonne/ha), N, P uptake, net returns (Rs 25,640/ha) and B:C ratio (2:49) over 20 + 8.6 kg N + P/ha and control and also favours soil N and P status. With significant higher seed yield (1.56 tonne/ha), net returns (Rs 22,680/ha) B:C ratio (2:31) and with higher N and P status of soil, the variety ‘RMt-303’ proved superior when compared with ‘RMt-1’. Dual inoculation showed superiority by retaining higher available N and P in soil, higher yield, net returns and B:C ratio compared to Rhizobium, PSB alone and uninoculated control.
Keywords
Fertilizers, Inoculation, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Rhizobium, Trigonella foenum-graecum