Different levels of phosphorus and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) influence growth, yield and economics of green gram [Vigna radiata L.]

An experiment was conducted during Kharif 2021–22 to study the effect of phosphorus levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹) and biofertilizers (without and with 25 ml PSB ha⁻¹) on plant growth characters and yield attributes. A significant increase was documented in plant height (40.82 cm), dry matter accumulation (382.23), the number of leaves (45.1), number and dry weight of nodules (49.15), and the number of primary (6.4) and secondary branches (7.19) plant⁻¹. Also, yield attributes viz., the number of pods plant⁻¹ (13.06), the number of grain pod⁻¹ (35.13), 1000-seed weight (995g), biological yield (2809), seed yield, straw yield, harvest index significantly increased up to the level of 50 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹. Higher net returns (68009), and B:C ratio (2.18) were recorded with the application of 40 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ along with 25 ml kg⁻¹ of seed PSB ha⁻¹. However, growth and production attributes were superior at 40 kg P₂O₅ kg ha⁻¹ with PSB but economics of 40 and 50 kg P₂O₅ kg ha⁻¹ with PSB application were at par to each other, thus, application of 40 kg P₂O₅ kg ha⁻¹ together with PSB is advised for enhanced green gram production.