Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth Attributes of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in a Semi-Arid Agroecosystem of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is a vital pulse crop in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, India, where productivity is constrained by suboptimal nutrient management and poor soil fertility. The experimental soil was characterized as a sandy loam, slightly alkaline, with low organic carbon and available nitrogen. While Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)—which combines organic, inorganic, and biological nutrient sources—presents a sustainable solution, there is a research gap regarding the optimal combination for mungbean in this specific agro-climatic zone. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different INM strategies on the growth parameters of mungbean. A field experiment was carried out during the Zaid season of 2024 in a randomized block design with eight treatments, including various combinations of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), and Rhizobium inoculation. Results demonstrated that the integrated application of 100% RDF with vermicompost (1 t ha⁻¹) and Rhizobium (T₈) consistently and significantly outperformed other treatments, leading to the greatest improvements in plant height (51.54 cm), primary branches (6.27), dry matter accumulation (12.38 g plant⁻¹), and leaf area index (2.44). This treatment also recorded the highest root nodulation. This study concludes that the conjunctive use of 100% RDF with vermicompost and Rhizobium is a superior nutrient management strategy. This approach not only enhances the vegetative growth of mungbean but also contributes to long-term agricultural sustainability by improving soil health, nutrient cycling, and resource-use efficiency in fragile, semi-arid agroecosystems.