Dual Variety-based Evaluation of Soil Biological Resilience and Agronomic Gains under Integrated Nutrient Protocols in Mung Bean

Abstract

Background: A field study was conducted to evaluate integrated nutrient management practices involving organic, inorganic, microbial and nano-fertilizer approaches for improving growth, yield, phosphorus uptake, economics and soil biological properties of mung bean varieties. Methods: Two mung bean varieties, Pusa-1431 and Virat, were tested under six nutrient management treatments in a factorial randomized block design during the Kharif season. Observations on growth, yield, phosphorus uptake, economics and soil biological activity were analyzed using ANOVA. Result: Pusa-1431 performed better than Virat in growth, yield, phosphorus uptake and soil biological activity. The treatment comprising 75% NPK + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + NPK consortia + Nano-P spray at 25 DAS produced the highest grain yield (12.4 q ha-1), benefit:cost ratio (2.35), phosphorus uptake and soil microbial activity, indicating that integrated nutrient management enhanced productivity, nutrient-use efficiency and soil health compared to sole chemical fertilization.