Effect of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria with Different Levels of Phosphorus in Field Pea (Pisum sativum)

Abstract

In the Rabi season of 2022, a comprehensive agricultural experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm of the Department of Agronomy, located within the Faculty of Agriculture at SAGE University in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The primary objective of this experiment was to assess the influence of varying levels of phosphorus, in conjunction with the application of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), on the growth and yield parameters of field pea. This research was undertaken using a randomized block design, with a factorial arrangement that was replicated three times to ensure the reliability and robustness of the findings. The experiment encompassed seven distinct treatment combinations, which spanned the spectrum from a control group to different percentages of the recommended dose of phosphorus (RDF), including 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% of the RDF. The results obtained from this meticulous study unveiled significant impacts of phosphorus levels and the application of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria on several critical growth and yield parameters of field pea. The effects of these factors were observed at multiple stages of the plant's growth, particularly at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS). The treatment combination that included 30:60:30 kg per hectare of phosphorus and 200 g per hectare of PSB exhibited outstanding results, with the maximum plant height at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, registering measurements of 39.29 cm and 59.29 cm, respectively. Remarkably, this specific treatment regimen also led to the highest number of branches per plant at both 60 and 90 DAS, with impressive counts of 7.80 and 9.20 branches, respectively. Furthermore, the combined impact of phosphorus and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria had a profound influence on key yield parameters. Notably, the treatment featuring the combination of 30:60:30 kg per hectare of phosphorus and 200 g per hectare of PSB resulted in the highest values for critical yield parameters, such as the number of pods per plant (17.59), seed yield per hectare (1070 kg), and straw yield per hectare (2142 kg). These findings underscore the pivotal role of this specific treatment regimen in enhancing crop productivity and maximizing overall yield. The results of this experiment offer valuable insights into optimizing phosphorus management practices in the cultivation of field pea, ultimately contributing to improved agricultural sustainability and food security in the region. This research serves as an important contribution to the field of agronomy and provides practical guidance for farmers and researchers alike.