Integrated Impact of Inorganic and Bio-Fertilizers on Growth and Yield Attributes of Broad Bean (Vicia Feba L.) cv. Pusa Udit

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted during the winter season of 2021-22 at the Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Janta Vedic College, Baraut, Baghpat (U.P.), India. The study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of inorganic and bio-fertilizers on the growth and yield of broad beans. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments: T0 (control), T1 (100% NPK), T2 (75% NPK + Rhizobium), T3 (75% NPK + VAM), T4 (75% NPK + Azospirillum), T5 (75% NPK + Rhizobium + VAM) and T6 (75% NPK + Azospirillum + VAM), with three replications. The results showed that the integrated application of Rhizobium and VAM with reduced NPK (T5) significantly enhanced various growth parameters, including the highest seed germination (97.97%), plant height (88.25 cm), leaf length (6.12 cm), leaf width (3.15 cm) and the number of branches per plant (8.06). Additionally, T5 treatment also led to earlier flowering (45.56 days after sowing) and superior yield attributes, such as the maximum number of pods per plant (49.61), pod weight (4.07 g), number of seeds per pod (4.40), pod length (5.20 cm), seed index (140.75 g) and pod yield (304.13 q/ha). The study concludes that the application of 75% NPK in combination with Rhizobium and VAM is highly effective in improving both the growth and yield of broad beans under Delhi NCR conditions.