Integrated Nutrient Management In Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) In Red And Lateritic Soils Of West Bengal

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on lentil during Rabi season of 2015 in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal at the Agricultural Farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan to study the effect of combined application of fertilizer, micronutrients and biofertilizers on yield, nutrient uptake, soil fertility status along with microbial population in Lentil. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design. Combined application of inorganic nutrients along with micronutrients (N15P40K0Zn10.5S8.5Mo1.0B1.0) recorded highest seed yield (6.98 q ha-1), stalk yield (19.53 q ha-1), biological yield (26.51 q ha-1) and harvest index (26.35%) as compared to inorganically treated nutrients followed by biofertilizer inoculated treatments. The nitrogen uptake was higher in treatment consists N15P40K0Zn10.5S8.5Mo1.0B1.0. The phosphorus and potassium uptake was influenced by combined application of inorganic fertilizers along with biofertilizers (N15P20K20+Rhizobium+PSB). Sulfur uptake was higher in case of micronutrients treated plots along with sulphur and macronutrients followed by biofertilizer inoculated treatments. Highest crude protein content and protein yield in seed of lentil was recorded due to application of sulphur along with micro and macronutrients (N15P40K0Zn21S17Mo2.0). Seed inoculation of Rhizobium and PSB significantly built up their number in soil.