Optimizing Crop Geometry to Enhance Growth Dynamics, and Yield of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Cultivars under Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2025–26 at the Crop Research Farm, School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SAAST), Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, to evaluate the growth kinetics, yield-attributing traits, biological productivity, harvest index, and economic feasibility of three distinct mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivars—Virat (IPM 205-7), Samrat (PDM-139), and SML-668—under three inter-row spacing configurations (30 cm × 10 cm, 35 cm × 10 cm, and 40 cm × 10 cm). The study employed a factorial randomised block design (FRBD) with three replications. The results showed that initial crop establishment at 15 days after sowing (DAS) was statistically uniform across all treatments, confirming unbiased field conditions. Cultivar Samrat (PDM-139) recorded the maximum plant height (58.17 cm at harvest), primary branching (15.44 plant⁻¹), secondary branching (11.26 plant⁻¹), dry matter accumulation (15.91 g plant⁻¹), and crop growth rate (25.82 g m⁻² day⁻¹). Samrat also recorded the highest pod length (15.89 cm), number of pods per plant (17.33), 1,000-seed test weight (50.72 g), biological yield (3879.44 kg ha⁻¹), and harvest index (48.19%). Among planting geometries, the 35 cm × 10 cm spacing recorded the maximum plant height (56.52 cm), branching (14.00 plant⁻¹), dry matter (14.41 g plant⁻¹), biological yield (4345.56 kg ha⁻¹), and harvest index (40.91%), significantly outperforming both narrower (30 cm × 10 cm) and wider (40 cm × 10 cm) configurations. The treatment combination of Samrat grown under 35 cm × 10 cm spacing (C₂ × S₂) recorded the highest interaction values, with 20.40 pods per plant, 18.07 grains per pod, test weight of 56.94 g, biological yield of 4390.67 kg ha⁻¹, and a peak harvest index of 48.91%, along with the highest net monetary returns and benefit-cost ratio (3.48). Overall, combining cultivar Samrat with 35 cm × 10 cm inter-row spacing optimises light interception, photosynthetic efficiency, and sink strength for maximum productivity.