Effect of integrated phosphorus management on yield, uptake and quality of fenugreek [Trigonella foenum-graecum L.]

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2014-15 at Agronomy Instructional Farm, C. P. College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, to study the Effect of integrated phosphorus management on yield, uptake and quality of fenugreek. The experiment consisted of 10 different treatments of integrated phosphorus management practices for application of recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) to fenugreek, i.e. 40 kg/ha through different sources viz., control, organic [vermicompost (VC) and castorcake (CC)], inorganic fertilizer alone or in combination with organic sources and PSB. Results revealed that integration of 50% RDP through vermicompost + 50% RDP through inorganic fertilizer along with seed inoculation of PSB recorded higher seed yield and straw yield as well as significantly improved the microbial population of rhizobium and PSB in the soil after harvest of the crop as compared to rest of the treatments. Combined application of 50% RDP through vermicompost + 50% RDP through inorganic fertilizer + PSB inoculation registered higher P content, total uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by fenugreek over control and application of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer alone surpassed rest of the treatments. It was also proved best treatment for getting maximum net profit and BCR. Different phosphorus management treatments failed to produce significant influence on protein content.