Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nodulation, Yield, Quality, Energetics and Economics of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill.] Varieties in Eastern India

The oilseed crop soybean has the potential to bridge the demand-supply gap of edible oil. Varietal adaptation to environment and agronomic interventions like integrated nutrient management (INM) are hypothesized to elevate the yield, quality and save energy in soybean, assuring environmental safety.

The experiment was conducted in three times replicated factorial randomized block design (RBD) with 3 varieties and 5 INM options at Instructional Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal during kharif season of 2019 and 2020.

Comparatively greater nodules/plant (51.21) and dry weight of nodules (0.51 g), pods/plant (34.04), 100-seeds weight (15.24 g), yield (2601 kg/ha), protein (41.42%) and economic profitability (B:C- 2.32) were observed from PS 24 grown under 75% RDF + 1.5 t/ha vermicompost + 25 kg/ha ZnSO₄. Energy budgeting further indicated that soybean cultivation mostly consumed energy from indirect non-renewable sources and PS 24 grown under that INM option generated highest energy outcome (112679.3 MJ/ha) in Eastern Indian condition.