Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, seed yield and economics of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and soil fertility changes

A field experiment was carried out during rabi 2007 - 09 at Agricultural Research Farm, Institutes of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers, inorganic fertilizers and vermicompost on field pea. Application of 50% N through vermicompost (1.33 t/ha) along with recommended inorganic nutrients (40:17:16:20 kg of N:P:K:S/ha) to field pea resulted in higher number of branches (5.34/plant), dry matter at maturity (34.87g/plant), seeds/pod (5.46), 100 seed weight (20.52g), seed yield (1717 kg/ha), straw yield (2430 kg/ha) and harvest index (41.37%). Net return (Rs. 45358/ha) and B: C ratio (2.21) were also higher with the above treatment. In addition, organic carbon, available N, P, K, S and Zn status in soil improved significantly at this fertility level. Seed inoculation with biofertilizers (Rhizobium +PSB+PGPR) along with 5 kg Zn/ha markedly enhanced crop growth and yield attributes, seed (1498 kg/ha) and straw (2184 kg/ha) yield of field pea and soil fertility status. Net return and B: C ratios were also higher with biofertilizers + zinc. Combined application of inorganic nutrients, 50% N through vermicompost, biofertilizers and Zn produced the highest seed yield (1873 kg/ha) of field pea and was 38.74% higher over recommended inorganic nutrients.