Abstract

M. Sarwar, S. I. Hyder , M. Ehsan Akhtar, Tauseef Tabassam and Shahid Riaz Malik

Optimization of phosphorus (P) fertilizer for mungbean (Vigna radiata) was studied during kharif 2012 through integrated use of humic acid (HA), chemical fertilizers and biofertilizer viz., plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) at NARC. The plots were arranged in split-split design under three factors (HA, P levels and PGPR inoculation). Results indicated that application of HA at 50 kg ha-1 along with 45 kg ha-1 P2O5 (75% P) in presence of PGPR inoculation recorded the highest grain yield (1.96 t ha-1 ) that is 19% more than the treatment receiving 100% P application alone (no HA and PGPR). The highest concentration of P (0.3 %) and N (3.5%) in whole shoot mung bean were observed in the treatment where HA was applied at 50 kg ha-1 along with 60 kg ha-1 P2O5 (100% P) and PGPR inoculation. However mungbean yield and P concentration was statistically at par with the treatment where P was applied at 75% of recommended rate along with H.A and PGPR. Based on findings of this study it can be suggested that HA and PGPR inoculation have significant effect on grain yield and improved P use efficiency (PUE). It showed that HA and PGRP enhanced P availability through chelation and reduce soil P fixation.