Effect of sowing methods, nutrients and seed rate on mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) growth, productivity and water-use efficiency
A experiment comprising of 18 treatments i.e. two sowing methods (flat bed - 30 cm spacing, and raisedbed with two mungbean (Vigna radiata) rows bed–1 on 67.5 cm including 30 cm furrow), three seed rates (10, 15 and 20 kg ha–1 ) and three nutrient treatments (6.25 + 20.0, 9.38 + 30.0 and 12.5 + 40.0 kg N+P2O5 ha–1 ) was conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India during kharif 2007 to 2009. The mungbean grain yield recorded in 2008 was similar in 2009 but higher than 2007. The increase of 3.94% in grain yield was recorded in raised-bed than in flat bed. The grain yield recorded with seed rate of 20 kg ha–1 was higher than with 10 kg ha–1 but similar with 15 kg ha-1 in 2006 and 2008. The grain yield recorded with 12.5 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 ha–1 was higher (p<0.05) than other treatments. Raised-bed planting with 33.3% lesser irrigation water used recorded 3.91% lesser water use than flat bed planting and 9.77% higher water use efficiency (WUE) (p<0.05) as compared to flat bed planting. Seed rate of 20 kg ha–1 recorded 35.9 and 8.9% higher (p<0.05) WUE than with 10 and 15 kg ha-1 . The highest WUE was recorded with 12.5 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 ha–1 which was higher (p<0.05) than 6.25 kg N + 20 kg P2O5 ha–1 but at par with 9.38 kg N + 24 kg P2O5 ha–1 .