Effect of Fertility Levels and Bio formulations on Growth, Yield and Quality of Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2024 at the Research Farm, School of Agriculture, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, to assess the impact of integrated nutrient management on crop performance under semi-arid conditions. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with 16 treatment combinations involving four fertility levels (Control, 50%, 75%, and 100% RDF) and four bioformulations (No bioformulation, NPK liquid, Zn solubilizing, and NPK liquid + Zn solubilizing), replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental site was loamy sand with low organic carbon and available nitrogen. The results revealed that increasing fertility levels significantly enhanced growth parameters including plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of branches per plant, leaf area index, and chlorophyll content. At harvest, the highest plant height (95.2 cm), dry matter (97.2 g/plant), and number of branches (9.2) were recorded under 100% RDF, which was significantly superior to lower doses and control. Among bioformulations, the combined application of NPK liquid + Zn solubilizing recorded the maximum growth metrics. Yield attributes such as number of pods per plant (39.6), seeds per pod (8.56), and 1000-grain weight (28.10 g) were also highest under 100% RDF. Similarly, grain and straw yields were significantly influenced, with the maximum grain yield (1826 kg/ha) and straw yield (3325 kg/ha) recorded under 100% RDF. Among bioformulations, NPK liquid + Zn solubilizing led to the highest grain yield (1669 kg/ha), outperforming individual applications and the control. Nutrient content and uptake (N, P, K) in both grain and straw increased significantly with fertility and bioformulation treatments, with the highest uptake observed in the treatment receiving 100% RDF and NPK + Zn solubilizing bioformulation. Economic analysis revealed that the highest net return (₹52980/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (2.78) were obtained under 100% RDF, while among bioformulations, NPK + Zn solubilizing gave the maximum net return (₹47115/ha) and B:C ratio (2.69). The integrated use of 100% recommended dose of fertilizers along with combined bioformulations (NPK liquid + Zn solubilizing) proved most effective for improving growth, yield, nutrient uptake, and economic returns of clusterbean in semi-arid Rajasthan.