Influence of nitrogen, phosphorus and bio-fertilizers on growth characters and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat) to find out the optimumlevels of nitrogen and phosphorus with bio-fertilizers for obtaining higher yield in fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graecum). Sixteen treatment combinations of two nitrogen levels (10 and 20kg N ha-1), two phosphorus levels (20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four bio-fertilizer levels(Control, Rhizobium sp., Phosphate solublising bacteria (PSB) and Rhizobium sp. + PSB) wereevaluated in the experiment. Application of 20 kg N and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 produced  higherplant height, dry matter and leaf  plant-1,  leaf area index and seed and straw yields over 10 kgN and 20 kg P2O5 ha-1. Individual and combined application of both Rhizobium sp. and PSBwas at par with each other with respect to plant height but significantly better over controlduring both the years. Dry matter accumulation, leaf area index seed and straw yields werehigher with inoculation of seed with Rhizobium sp. and PSB over their individual applicationas well as control at all growth stages during both the years. Thus, application of 20 kg Nand 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 with seed inoculation by Rhizobium sp. and phosphorus solublizing bacteriais better for higher growth and yield of fenugreek.