Effect of Biofertilizers and Growth Promoting Microorganisms on Productivity and Profitability of Mungbean [(Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under Mungbean-Wheat Cropping System
Aug 2026· International Journal of Plant & Soil Science· 0 citations
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 and 2023 at Dr. BRC Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mandor, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of biofertilisers and growth-promoting microorganisms on growth, yield, and profitability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, var. GM-4) under the mungbean–wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers and seed inoculation, soil application, or combined seed and soil application of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB). The results indicated that growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, biological yield, and economic returns were significantly influenced by the treatments. The greatest numerical plant heights at 30 DAS (46.8 cm) and 45 DAS (55.9 cm) were recorded under T₁₀, while T₅ recorded comparable values of 45.8 and 55.3 cm, respectively. The highest numbers of pods per plant (39.6) and seeds per pod (13.5), dry matter production (3.50 t ha⁻¹), and test weight (48.1 g) were observed under T₅, whereas the highest numerical chlorophyll content (4.00 mg g⁻¹) was recorded under T₁₀. The highest grain yield (pooled: 1458 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (₹98,855 ha⁻¹) were recorded with 100% RDF (T₅), whereas 75% RDF combined with seed and soil application of Rhizobium + PSB (T₁₀) produced a pooled grain yield of 1400 kg ha⁻¹ and a B:C ratio of 4.41, remaining statistically at par with T₅. Thus, integrated use of biofertilisers with 75% RDF can reduce fertiliser requirement without significant yield loss and improve profitability.
A field experiment entitled Effect of Organic Manures, Rhizobium and Bijamrit on Growth and Yield of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek]” was conducted at the Dr. B.R.C. Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, during Kharif 2024 on a loamy sand soil. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with twelve treatment combinations replicated three times. The treatments comprised four organic manures, viz., FYM @ 6 t ha⁻¹, vermicompost @ 2 t ha⁻¹, poultry manure @ 0.75 t ha⁻¹, and Jivamrit @ 500 L ha⁻¹ (soil application) + 10% foliar spray at 30 DAS, along with three seed treatments, viz., Bijamrit @ 200 ml kg⁻¹ seed, Rhizobium @ 25 ml kg⁻¹ seed, and Bijamrit + Rhizobium. The results revealed that nutrient management through organic sources significantly influenced the growth and yield attributes of mungbean. Application of poultry manure @ 0.75 t ha⁻¹ significantly increased plant height, dry matter accumulation, branches per plant, pods per plant, grains per pod, grain yield, stover yield, and biological yield over the other organic manures; however, it remained statistically at par with vermicompost @ 2 t ha⁻¹. Similar trends were observed for seed protein content, available soil N, P, and K at harvest, and microbial population at harvest. The highest benefit-cost ratio (4.1) was recorded with poultry manure. Among the seed treatments, the combined application of Bijamrit @ 200 ml kg⁻¹ seed and Rhizobium @ 25 ml kg⁻¹ seed recorded the highest growth and yield attributes and was found statistically at par with Rhizobium @ 25 ml kg⁻¹ seed alone. The highest benefit-cost ratio (3.4) was also recorded under the combined application of Bijamrit and Rhizobium. The study concluded that the application of poultry manure @ 0.75 t ha⁻¹ along with seed treatment of Bijamrit @ 200 ml kg⁻¹ seed + Rhizobium @ 25 ml kg⁻¹ seed significantly enhanced mungbean yield and economic returns.
Suman Karwa, R. Sutaliya, Mahendra Junjariya et al.· Journal of Eco-friendly Agri...· 0 citations
Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important cereal crops, and improving its productivity while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers has become a major goal of sustainable agriculture. The potential role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a biofertilizer evolved as appropriate substitute to neutralize adverse environmental impacts wielded by manmade agrochemical.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis, individually and in combination, on the growth and yield of maize compared with conventional NPK fertilization.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the 2025 growing season at the Field Crops Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Samarra, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Six treatments were evaluated: Untreated control (T1), Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2), Bacillus subtilis (T3), combined inoculation (P. fluorescens + B. subtilis) (T4), combined inoculation with NPK fertilizer (T5), and NPK fertilizer (20:20:20) only (T6). Vegetative growth and yield-related traits were recorded and statistically analyzed.
Results: Inoculation of plants with PGPR bacteria resulted in a significant improvement in both vegetative growth and yield compared to the untreated control group. Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2) exhibited the highest vegetative growth rate, recording the highest plant height (148.00 cm), leaf area (365.00 cm²), leaf area index (2.63), and number of grains per spike (688 grains) compared control group recorded (92.33 cm), (10.67 plant⁻¹), (151.73 cm²), (0.70) respectively. Bacillus subtilis (T3), achieved the highest productivity, producing the largest number of spikes per plant (2.67 spikes) and the highest spike weight (283.50 g) compared control group recorded (2.00) and (161.60 g).
Conclusion: The use of PGPR, and especially Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis as potential biofertilisation agents is a promising sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisation that can enhance maize growth and production, while decreasing dependence on mineral fertilisers.
Waser saad Khalaf, Ahmed waleed Abdulrahman· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Station, Achalpur, District Amravati, under Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, during the kharif 2024-25 season to evaluate the efficacy of HYPER on the growth, yield and soil nutrient status of blackgram (Udid). A plant bio-stimulant is any substance applied to plants to enhance nutrient-use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and crop-quality traits, regardless of its nutrient content. The field topography was fairly uniform and levelled. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with six treatments and four replications. The mean number of seeds per pod (5.45) was significantly higher under Urea Briquette and T5: RDF + HYPER at 2.5 ml/litre of water. Grain yield was significantly highest under T6: RDF + HYPER at 3 ml/litre of water (1196.23 kg ha-1), and it was at par with T4: RDF + HYPER at 2 ml/litre of water (1151.91 kg ha-1). RDF + HYPER at 3 ml/litre of water recorded the highest grain yield (1196.23 kg ha-1), followed by RDF + HYPER at 2.5 ml/litre of water (1165.03 kg ha-1). Growth parameters, including plant height, number of branches and pod characteristics, improved significantly with HYPER application. Post-harvest soil nutrient availability also increased in treated plots, with the highest available N (213.25 kg ha-1), P (18.14 kg ha-1) and K (652.85 kg ha-1) recorded under T6. The findings indicate that RDF + HYPER at 3 ml/litre of water significantly enhanced blackgram productivity and post-harvest soil fertility under Vertisol conditions.
Y. D. Charjan, R. Wankhede, S. Nage et al.· Asian journal of microbiolog...· 0 citations
Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a staple crop in semi-arid Nigeria, but its productivity is constrained by poor soil fertility. While inorganic NPK fertilizers can boost yields, their long-term use may degrade soil health. Organic alternatives like Gliricidia sepium remain underutilized despite their potential to improve soil quality. A field experiment was conducted at the Dryland Teaching and Research Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, during the 2025 cropping season. The treatments comprised: T₁ (NPK 15 g plant⁻¹), T₂ (Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer 100 g plant⁻¹), T₃ (50 g Gliricidia + 7.5 g NPK plant⁻¹), and T₄ (control). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on growth parameters, yield components, and post-harvest soil physicochemical properties. Analysis of variance was used to test treatment effects at p<0.05. Fertilizer application significantly (p<0.05) influenced millet growth at later stages. Plants treated with Gliricidia (T₂ and T₃) were significantly taller at 9 and 12 weeks after planting and produced more tillers than the NPK-only and control treatments. Although not statistically significant (p<0.05), the sole Gliricidia treatment (T₂) gave the highest grain yield (1.05 t ha⁻¹), representing a 48% increase over the control (0.71 t ha⁻¹). Post-harvest soil analysis showed that Gliricidia-amended plots had significantly higher pH (6.40) compared to the NPK-only plots (6.31). Available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were significantly higher in the NPK treatment, while total nitrogen remained unaffected across treatments. Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer effectively enhances millet growth and shows strong potential for improving grain yield while buffering soil pH against acidification. It is recommended as a sustainable nutrient management option for smallholder farmers in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria.
S.B. Shamaki, G.A. Abubakar, M.B. Oyun et al.· Journal of Agriculture and E...· 0 citations
The excessive dependence on synthetic fertilizers in crop production has raised concerns regarding soil degradation, environmental sustainability, and long-term agricultural productivity. Vermicompost represents a promising organic nutrient source; however, its effectiveness in improving crop performance may vary depending on application rate and crop genotype. This study evaluated vermicompost as a sustainable biofertilizer for improving growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). A factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of vermicompost application levels and cowpea genotype on growth and yield performance. Four cowpea varieties were tested under four vermicompost-to-soil ratios of 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0 together with chemical fertilizer and untreated control treatments. Growth and yield parameters were analyzed using analysis of variance in Minitab 15. Vermicompost significantly enhanced vegetative growth and reproductive performance compared with the control and chemical fertilizer treatments (p < 0.05). Improvements were evident across all vermicompost levels, with 25–75% applications already producing substantial gains in growth and yield attributes. Maximum values were generally observed at the 100% level, including plant height (50.94 ± 3.00 cm; Bombay), leaf number (39.00 ± 1.22; MI 35), branch number (14.20 ± 1.48; MI 35), nodes per main stem (20.00 ± 2.45; MI 35), and leaf area index (79.26 ± 14.97 cm²; Bombay). Yield-related traits also responded positively to vermicompost, as indicated by earlier flowering (35 ± 0.83 days; Waruni and Dawala), earlier maturity (47.40 ± 1.14 days; Waruni), longer pods (16.24 ± 0.68 cm; ANKCP 2), higher seed number per pod (11.00 ± 1.58; ANKCP 2), greater pod number per plant (4.40 ± 1.14; Waruni), and increased seed size (0.72 ± 0.08 mm; Bombay). Vermicompost showed beneficial effects under the tested pot conditions; however, further field validation is necessary to assess its effectiveness and suitability as a partial or complete alternative to conventional fertilizers.
A. Amarasinghe, E. Rathnathunga, W. Pushpakumari· Turkish Journal of Agricultu...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025-2026 at the Horticulture Experimental Field, Department of Horticulture, School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality attributes of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Pusa Desi. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments included the recommended dose of inorganic fertilisers, organic nitrogen sources through farmyard manure, vermicompost and plant-based compost, and their combinations with phosphate-solubilising bacteria. Integrated nutrient application improved most growth and yield traits compared with sole organic nutrient sources. Among the treatments, T6, consisting of 75% NPK + 25% nitrogen through vermicompost + phosphate-solubilising bacteria at 25 ml/kg, recorded the highest plant height (34.91 cm), leaf length (32.25 cm), number of leaves per plant (15.11), shoot dry weight (16.13 g), shoot fresh weight (213.58 g), root length (24.42 cm), root diameter (3.77 cm), average root weight (113.19 g) and root yield (285.29 q/ha). Quality attributes varied among treatments. T7, consisting of 75% NPK + 25% nitrogen through plant-based compost + phosphate-solubilising bacteria at 25 ml/kg, recorded the highest total soluble solids (5.33 °Brix) and ascorbic acid content (15.58 mg/100 g). The findings indicate that integrated use of inorganic fertilisers, organic nutrient sources and phosphate-solubilising bacteria can improve radish growth, yield and selected quality parameters under the agro-climatic conditions of Kanpur.