Effect of phosphorus and PSB on nutrient content and uptake by fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2015–16 at Agronomy Instructional Farm, C. P. College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar to study the effect of phosphorus and PSB on growth and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Twelve treatment combinations comprising three levels of phosphorus (0 kg/ha, 20 kg/ha and 40 kg/ha) and four levels of PSB (No PSB, seed inoculation of PSB, soil application of liquid PSB and seed inoculation of PSB+soil application of liquid PSB). The results revealed that phosphorus application @ 40 kg/ha, surpassed rest of the treatments bearing maximum values of P content in seed and straw as well as uptake of N and P by seed and straw of fenugreek. Nitrogen content in seed and straw did not affect significantly due to phosphorus levels. Among the levels, phosphorus application @ 40 kg/ha significantly built up P2O5 status of soil after harvest of crop. In case of PSB, seed inoculation of PSB+soil application of liquid PSB treatment significantly improved the N and P uptake by seed and straw of fenugreek. Similarly, P2O5 status of soil was built up due to seed inoculation of PSB+soil application of liquid PSB over rest of the treatments.