Effect of integrated nutrient management on seed yield, quality and nutrient uptake of soybean (Glycine max) under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2010 and 2011 at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh to study the effect of organic manures and fertility levels on seed yield, quality and nutrient uptake of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seed. The experiment, consisted of 12 treatment combinations of 4 organic manures, viz. control, farmyard manure (FYM) @ 5 t/ha, vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha and FYM @ 2.5 t/ha + vermicompost @ 1.25 t/ha, and 3 fertility levels, viz. control, 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and 100% RDF. The use of FYM @ 2.5 t/ha + vermicompost @ 1.25 t/ha resulted in significantly the highest seed (1.82 t/ha) and straw yield (3.25 t/ha) as compared to application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha and FYM @ 5 t/ha alone. The 100% RDF resulted in significantly the highest seed (1.59 t/ha) and straw yield (3.14 t/ha) as compared to 50% RDF and the control. Significantly the highest number of pods/plant and grains/pod were recorded with the application of FYM @ 2.5 t/ha + vermicompost @ 1.25 t/ha compared to sole application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha, FYM @ 5 t/ha and the control. Application of FYM @ 2.5 t/ha + vermicompost @ 1.25 t/ha recorded significantly highest oil content (18.9%), oil yield (343.9 kg/ha), available nutrients and NPK uptake. Use of 100% RDF also recorded significantly highest oil content (19.7%), oil yield (310.2 kg/ha) and NPK uptake followed by 50% RDF and control.