Influence of various sources of nutrients on yield and quality of garden pea under dry temperate conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil of Kukumseri (Lahaul and Spiti) to evaluate the impact of organic/bio-fertilizer and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield and quality of garden pea under dry temperate high hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The experimental soil was slightly alkaline in nature (pH 7.66), medium in available nitrogen but high in available phosphorus and potassium and high organic carbon content (7.62 g/kg). The results indicated a significant increase in green pod yield and straw yield with combined application of FYM 2.5 t ha⁻¹ + Rhizobium and 150% or 100% of recommended NPK through chemical fertilizers. Highest green pod yield of garden pea (123–130 q ha⁻¹) was recorded with application of FYM 2.5 t ha⁻¹ + Rhizobium in integration with 150% of recommended NPK through chemical fertilizers. This combination also showed a significant improvement in ascorbic acid content in garden pea during both the years. Application of FYM 2.5 t ha⁻¹ + Rhizobium found to be significantly better than FYM and Rhizobium alone in influencing yield of pea and ascorbic acid content of garden pea crop. Realizing higher yield of garden pea crop, the combination of FYM 2.5 t ha⁻¹ + Rhizobium in integration with 100% of recommended NPK through chemical fertilizers was as good as with 150% of recommended NPK under dry temperate conditions of Lahaul valley.