Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Bio-Fertilizer inoculation on Growth, Productivity, Nutrient Uptake and Economic Returns in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-Graecum L)

A field experiment was carried out at Sardarkrushinagar Dantewada Agricultural University (SDAU), during two consecutive winter seasons of 2006–07 and 2007–08 to study effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and biofertilizer on growth dynamics, productivity and nutrient uptake of fenugreek. The experiment consisting of sixteen treatment combinations with two levels each of nitrogen (N) (10 and 20 kg N/ha) and P2O5 (20 and 40 kg P2 O5/ha) and four levels of seed inoculation with bio-fertilizers (no seed inoculation (control), seed inoculation with Rhizobium alone, seed inoculation with phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) alone and seed inoculation with both Rhizobium+ PSB) was laid in factorial randoblized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Application of 20 kg N and 40 kg P2 O5/ha significantly increased dry matter accumulation per plant (DMA), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) at all the growth stages as well as seed yield, straw yield, net return, benefit cost ratio (BCR) and, N, P and K uptake by crop over their respective lower levels. Inoculation of seed with both Rhizobium and PSB gave the highest DMA, CGR, RGR and NAR over their sole application as well as control. Seed and straw yield as well as, net return, BCR and, N, P and K uptake by crop was also recorded significantly higher with Rhizobium + PSB seed inoculation followed by Rhizobium alone. Thus, higher seed and straw yield as well as net return and BCR of fenugreek can be realised with the application of 20 kg N/ha, 40 kg P2O5/ha and seed inoculation with Rhizobium and PSB both.