Response of Fababean to Boron, Zinc and Sulphur Application in Alluvial Soil

A field study was carried out at the research farm, R.B.S. College, Bichpuri, Agra (U.P.), during rabi season of 2008–09 and 2009–10 to study the effect of boron (0, 1.0, 2.0 kg B ha−1), zinc (0, 5.0 and 10.0 kg Zn ha−1) and sulphur (0, 20.0 and 40.0 kg S ha−1) levels on growth, yield components and yield and uptake of nutrients in fababean (cv. Nutan). Data revealed that the growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and protein content increased significantly with the application of 1.0 kg B, 5 kg Zn and 40 kg S ha−1 over their respective controls. Application of 1 kg B ha−1 gave 0.274 and 0.279 t ha−1 higher grain and straw yield over control. It also increased the content and uptake of nutrients by grain and straw significantly over control except that of K. Application of Zn proved superior to control in terms of protein content in fababean. The content of P, K and S decreased, but the uptake of nutrients by the crop increased significantly with Zn addition up to 5 kg Zn ha−1 over control. But the content of N and Zn and uptake of Zn increased significantly up to 10 kg Zn ha−1. Application of 40 kg S ha−1 was more effective in increasing growth, yield attributes and yields than that of 20 kg S ha−1. The highest grain (4.70 t ha−1) and straw (4.75 t ha−1) yields were recorded with 40 kg S ha−1, which was 21.4 and 21.7% higher than that of control. The content and uptake of nutrients by the crop increased significantly up to 40 kg S ha−1. Sulphur application tended to increase protein content in fababean. Thus, application of 1 kg B, 5 kg Zn and 40 kg S ha−1 would be sufficient to sustain the productivity and quality of fababean under Agra conditions.