Effect of phosphorus and molybdenum on soybean productivity and soil properties in an acid Alfisol
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Date
2022-12-13
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CSK HPKV, Palampur
Abstract
A field experiment was carried out during kharif 2021 on soybean (Glycine max
L.) at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, COA, CSKHPKV, Palampur.
The experiment comprised twelve treatments with four levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60
and 90 kg P2O5 ha -1
) and 3 levels of molybdenum (0,1.0 and 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
), replicated
thrice in a randomized block design to evaluate the effect of phosphorus and molybdenum
application on soybean productivity and soil properties in an acid Alfisol. Application of
90 kg P2O5 ha-1
and 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
recorded better growth and yield attributes. The
interaction was found to be significant on plant height, number of branches plant-1
,
number of pods plant-1
, root volume, number of nodules plant-1
, nodule dry weight and
was found to be non significant on number of leaves plant-1
, days to 50 % flowering,
number of seeds pod-1
, test weight, root dry weight and root mass density. Application of
90 kg P2O5 ha-1
recorded significantly higher grain (24.8 q ha-1
) and straw yield (39.4 q
ha-1
). Similarly, application of 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
recorded significantly higher grain yield
(22.1 q ha
-1
), however no significant increase was seen in straw yield with increasing Mo
application. Nutrient uptake (NPK and Mo) by soybean was enhanced with application of
90 kg P2O5 ha-1
and 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
. The interaction was found to be significant only in
case of Mo uptake by grains. Application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1
and 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
recorded
higher protein content and protein yield respectively. Soil pH and organic carbon did not
show any significant increase with varying P and Mo levels. Available NPK and Mo were
significantly higher with application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
. The
interaction effect was not significant on available NPK and Mo. Microbiological
properties were also enhanced with application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1
and 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
except urease activity which was not significant with increasing Mo levels. The
interaction was found to be non signicant for all the microbiological properties. Highest
cost of cultivation, B:C ratio, net returns and gross returns were registered with
application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1
along with 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
. From the present investigation it
can be concluded that application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1
and 2.0 kg Mo ha-1
to soybean crop
was ideal for optimum higher grain yield and economic returns.