Maximization of Nutrient use Efficiency and Yield through Application of Biofertilizers in Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Background: The negative effects of continuous use of chemical fertilizers on soil microbiology and agricultural sustainability are well established. The chemical fertilizers load in environment can be minimized by combined application of fertilizers and biofertilizers in crops like pulses which require less fertilizer-N and respond well to the use of biofertilizers. The objectives of the study were to see the effect of different biofertilizers in reduction of total fertilizer use and the response of field pea to combined application of chemical- and bio-fertilizers in terms of growth, yield and NUE. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during 2 consecutive rabi season of 2017-18 and 2018-19 at KVK, Chhatarpur, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), India to evaluate the application of fertilizers and biofertilizers on growth parameter, nodulation, nutrient content and uptake, nutrient use efficiency, yield and economics of field pea. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with five treatments in four replications. Treatments comprised of Control, Recommended dose (RD) of NPK (20: 60: 20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively) (RDNPK), RDNPK + seed inoculation with Rhizobium @ 20 g/kg seed (RDNPK +R), RDNPK+ R + phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 20 g each/kg seed (RDNPK + R+PSB) and 75% of RDNPK + R+ PSB + potash solubilizing bacteria @ 5 kg/ha (75% RDNPK+ R+PSB+KSB). All other practices followed as per recommendation for the region and different observations and indices were recorded by following standard procedures. Conclusion: The application of 75% RDNPK+R+PSB+KSB was found best treatment among all others which resulted in highest grain yield (1682 kg/ha), protein content (23.1%), protein yield (388.5 kg/ha), net return (Rs. 46 623/ha) and B:C ratio (2.94). The nutrient use efficiency such as partial factor productivity (PFP), agronomic efficiency (AE), physiological efficiency (PE) and economic efficiency (EE) were also higher under combined application of fertilizers and biofertilizers. Thus, 75% RDNPK along with combined application of biofertilizers (R+PSB+KSB) may be applied for higher yield and return from field pea.