Productivity and resource-use efficiency of greengram (Vigna radiata) as influenced by sowing methods and phosphorus levels under semi-arid conditions of Afghanistan

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2015, at the Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, to study the effect of sowing methods and phosphorus levels on greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilezek]. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 8 treatment combinations including 2 sowing methods (broadcast and line sowing) in main plots and 4 phosphorus levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P₂O₅/ha) in subplots, replicated thrice. Significantly higher grain yield, biological yield, production efficiency and water-use efficiency were recorded under line sowing over broadcast method. The highest grain yield (1.42 t/ha), biological yield (4.56 t/ha), production efficiency (16.5 kg/ha/day) and water-use efficiency (8.0 kg/ha/mm) were obtained by applying 60 kg P₂O₅/ha. Significantly higher gross returns, net returns, benefit: cost ratio and monetary efficiency were also recorded under line sowing and at 60 kg P₂O₅/ha respectively. Line sowing at 45 cm × 5 cm spacing and 60 kg P₂O₅/ha were found better treatments for higher productivity, profitability and resource-use efficiency of greengram under semi-arid conditions of Afghanistan.