Role of Rhizobium and VAM Fungi for Improvement in Fertility and Yield of Green Gram under Temperate Conditions

A field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of SKUAST (K), Shalimar, Kashmir to evaluate the performance of green gram under temperate conditions with inoculation of Rhizobium, VAM and N levels. The results indicate a significant improvement in nodule dry weight, rhizobial counts, root colonization, spore density, availability of N, P, K and yield of grain and straw of green gram over the control. Application of 15 kg N ha−1 alone enhanced nodule dry weight and rhizobial counts over 30 kg N ha−1 whereas application of 30 kg N ha−1 significantly improved root colonization, spore density, available N and yield of grain and strawover 15 kg N ha−1. An increase in yield of grain and straw was 17.8 and 17.1% due to application of 30 kg N ha−1 over 15 kg N ha−1. Interaction effect of Glomus fasciculatum x Rhizobium was most effective but at par with Glomus mosseae x Rhizobium. The highest grain and straw yield was recorded with Rhizobium along with 30 kg N ha−1 and increase was about 4.6 and 4.2% over the Rhizobium x 15 kg N ha−1. However, maximum nodule dry weight and rhizobial counts were observed with Rhizobium x 15 kg N ha−1 but further successive increase in nitrogen levels caused significant decreases at both the stages of plant growth. The available N, P and K status in the soil increased by 6.65, 7.18 and 6.30% at flowering and 7.18, 14.82 and 6.20% at harvest over 30 kg N ha−1 alone due to Rhizobium x 15 kg N ha−1, respectively.