Influence of AM fungi and inorganic phosphorus levels on growth, green pod yield and profitability of pea (Pisum sativum) in Himalayan acid Alfisol

Present investigation was carried out during winter season of 2010-11 at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) with the broad aim of assessing its productivity and profitability following integrated use of AM fungi (AMF) and inorganic P at varying irrigation regimes in Himalayan acid Alfisol. At 120 DAS, AMF imbedded treatments exhibited an increase in plant height and LAI to the tune of 7.4 and 2.3%, respectively over non AMF treatments. Green pod yield, net returns, benefit: cost ratio got enhanced by 6.5, 12.7, 9.2%, while production and monetary efficiencies increased by 3.1 and 10.8% following AMF inoculation over non AMF treatments respectively. Increase in inorganic P levels from 50 to 100% at both irrigation regimes with or without AMF, led to increase in plant height, LAI, green pod yield, net returns and B: C ratio in pea; however, irrigation regime of IW/CPEi showed its superiority over IW/CPE06. AMF + 75% P at both irrigation regimes produced pod yield and net returns statistically similar to 100% generalized recommended P dose (GRD), thus, indicating a net saving of about 25% in fertilizer P. Overall, integrated use of AM fungi and 75% soil test based P dose at both irrigation regimes led to enhanced productivity and profitability besides economizing fertilizer P dose by about 25% in acid Alfisol conditions.