Effect of Phosphorous Levels and Phosphorous Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) on Growth, Quality Parameters and Profitability of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.)

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Research farm of R.A.K., college of Agriculture, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh during 2020-21. The experiment was laid out using Randomized Block Design with different levels of Phosphorus with or without PSB application (T1- 45 kg P2O5/ha, T2- 60 kg P2O5/ha, T3- 75 kg P2O5/ha, T4-90 kg P2O5/ha, T5 - 45 kg P2O5/ha + PSB @ 5g/kg seed, T6 - 60 kg P2O5/ha + PSB @ 5g/kg seed, T7 - 75 kg P2O5/ha + PSB @ 5g/kg seed, T8 - 90 kg P2O5/ha + PSB @ 5g/kg seed). Treatment T7 found to be best for yield and yield attributes of berseem. Maximum plant height (54.8, 71.5 and 65.5 cm), number of branches/plant (5.44, 6.72 and 8.53), dry matter accumulation (4.90, 6.64 and 5.00 g/plant) at 1st cutting, 2ndcutting and at harvest respectively, dry matter (13.01 %), crude protein (19.99 %), crude protein yield (420.21 kg/ha), Gross return (87,660 ₹/ha), net return (59,412 ₹/ha) and B:C ratio (3.03). While minimum recorded with treatment T1 (45kg P2O5/ha without PSB application).