Studies on seed production of pea (Pisum sativum L.) varieties with phosphorus levels under Malwa Plateau conditions

Field investigation was conducted at the Bahadari farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur during rabi 2009–10. Eighteen treatment combinations comprising of six varieties viz., V₁-Arkel, V₂-Pusa Pragati, V₃-Matar Ageta-6, V₄-Kashi Nandini, V₅-Kashi Shakti V₆-Azad Pea-3 and three phosphorus levels P₁-60kg P₂O₅/ha, P₂-90 kg P₂O₅/ha and P₂-120kg P₂O₅/ha were laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Observations were recorded on growth, yield parameters, seed yield and quality. It was concluded that the variety Matar Ageta-6 was superior as indicated through seed yield and quality. Among the phosphorus levels there was increase in growth, yield parameters, yield and seed quality up to P₃(120 kg P₂O₅/ha) level but significant improvement was only up to P₂ (90 kg P₂O₅/ha). Economic analysis of different treatments revealed that cost of cultivation was increased with increasing dose of phosphorus application irrespective of variety. Gross return, net profit and cost: benefit ratio were realised highest in variety Matar Ageta-6 with P₃ (120 kg P₂O₅/ha) application. It was followed by the same variety under P₂ (90 kg P₂O₅/ha) application. However, there was very marginal increase with P₃(120 kg P₂O₅/ha) over P₂ (90 kg P₂O₅/ha).