Evaluation of Biofertigation for Enhancing Growth and Yield of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Abstract

Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is an important pulse crop whose productivity is often constrained by poor nutrient management and declining soil fertility. A field experiment was conducted during the summer, 2026 at the SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, to evaluate the influence of biofertigation on the growth and yield of blackgram. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with nine treatments and three replications. Treatments comprised different levels of recommended fertilizers integrated with biofertigation of Rhizobium, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB), fish amino acid, fulvic acid, and humic acid. Growth parameters, physiological traits and yield attributes were recorded and statistically analyzed. Among the treatments, T8 (50% RDF + biofertigation of Rhizobium, PSB, KSB, fish amino acid, fulvic acid and humic acid) recorded the highest plant height (34.22 & 45.83 cm), number of branches per plant (5.39 & 8.76), SPAD value (48.95 & 24.85) and leaf area index (5.50 & 4.75) at 45 days after sowing and at the time of harvest respectively. In addition, the same treatment produced the highest number of pods per plant (24.46), grain yield (1479 kg/ha) and haulm yield (2413 kg/ha). The results indicate that integrated biofertigation with a complete consortium of beneficial microorganisms and organic formulations, combined with 50% RDF, significantly enhanced crop growth, physiological performance and productivity of blackgram. The study demonstrates the potential of biofertigation as a sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving blackgram yield while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.