Growth Attributes Productivity and Chlorophyll Content of Mungbean Varieties as Influenced by Fertility Levels and Stress Mitigating Chemicals

Abstract

Background: Appropriate fertility management and stress-mitigating chemicals can improve mungbean growth, physiological activity and yield. This study evaluated the effects of fertility levels and stress-relieving chemicals on the growth, chlorophyll content and yield of two mungbean varieties and examined their relationships with seed yield. Methods: A field experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with 24 treatment combinations and three replications. Varieties (IPM 02-3 and RMG 492) and four fertility levels (Control, 75%, 100% and 125% RDF) were assigned to main plots, while three stress-relieving treatments (Control, thioglycolic acid @ 100 ppm and salicylic acid @ 100 ppm) were assigned to sub-plots. Correlation and regression analyses were also performed. Results: Variety RMG 492 significantly outperformed IPM 02-3 for dry matter accumulation, total and effective nodules, fresh and dry nodule weight, chlorophyll content, yield attributes and seed yield. Application of 125% RDF recorded superior growth and chlorophyll parameters over the control and 75% RDF and remained comparable with 100% RDF. The 100% RDF treatment significantly improved yield attributes and seed yield over the control and 75% RDF, while remaining comparable with 125% RDF. Foliar application of thioglycolic acid @ 100 ppm significantly enhanced growth, nodulation and chlorophyll content over the control and was comparable with salicylic acid @ 100 ppm. Similarly, thioglycolic acid improved yield attributes and seed yield, with results comparable to salicylic acid. Growth and yield parameters exhibited strong positive correlations with seed yield.