Productivity, Profitability and Soil Health of Pigeonpea as Influenced by Phosphorus Levels and Bioinoculants under Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Field experiments were carried out during kharif season of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi to study the effect of phosphorus levels and bioinoculants on pigeonpea. Results reveal that application of 75 kg P2O5/ha recorded the highest soil microorganisms, growth characters, seed yield (2265 and 2124 kg/ha), net return, B: C ratio, production and economic efficiency, being significantly superior over 25 kg P2O5/ha and control during both the years. During both the years of study dual seed inoculation with PSB + PGPR produced the maximum nodulation, seed yield (2314 and 2173 kg/ha), net return, B:C ratio, production and economic efficiency, being significantly superior to alone seed inoculation of PGPR, PSB and control. Further results showed that maximum soil nutrient (N, P, K and S) was recorded in the plot where 70 kg P2O5/ha applied and this treatment was found significantly superior over 25 kg P2O5/ha and control. Dual seed inoculation of PSB + PGPR was recorded higher organic carbon and available soil nutrients, which was significantly superior over alone seed inoculation of PGPR, PSB and control.