Growth, nodulation and yield of mung bean (Vigna Radiata L. (Wilczek) as affected by bio-chemical fertilizers integration at Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A field study was conducted to determine the growth, nodulation and yield response of mung bean (Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek) to bio-chemical fertilizer integrations. There were sixteen treatment combinations comprising of four bio-slurry levels (control, 12.3 m3, 24.6 m3 and 36.9 m3) and four inoculant/N fertilizer treatments including control (0.23 kg N ha-1, Rhizobium strain MB-001 and 23 kg ha-1N+Rhizobium strain MB-001) were laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with four replications. The results revealed that the main effect of bio-slurry and inoculant/N fertilizer as well as their interaction had a significant effect on phenology, nodulation and yield parameters of mung bean. Integrated application of bio-chemical fertilizers resulted in significant improvement in plant height, leaf area, leaf area index, shoot fresh and dry weight, and nodulation of mung bean. The combined application of fertilizer had positive impacts on nodulation performance. Integrated application 0f 36.9 m3 bio-slurry with 23 kg ha-1 N resulted in the highest plant height. Whereas highest leaf area, LAI, shoot fresh and dry weight, were recorded in plots received 36.9 m3+23 kg N+rhizobium strain integrated application compared with the control treatment. Nodulation was also significantly affected by the integrated application of bio-chemical fertilizers. The maximum grain yield was obtained from the combination of 24.6 m3 bio-slurry with Rhizobium inoculation compared to control treatment. Therefore, the integrated application of bio-chemical fertilizers enhanced the nodulation, growth and yield performance of mung bean.