Growth and Yield Response of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Cultivars to Varying Levels of Nitrogen

Abstract

Response of two mungbean cultivars namely NM-54 and NM-92 to nitrogen levels of 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg haG 1 was studied under field conditions. The cultivar NM-92 gave significantly higher seed yield than cultivar NM-54 due to higher number of pod bearing branches plant -G 1 , number of pods plantG 1 and number of seeds podG 1 . Yield and yield components were also influenced significantly by nitrogen levels. The application of nitrogen at the rate of 60 kg haG 1 significantly depressed the seed yield and yield components except number of pods plant which were statistically similar with nitrogen application of 40 kg haG 1 . Maximum increase in seed yield, recorded at 40 kg N haG 1 , was about 31 percent higher of control. The increase in seed yield with nitrogen application was related to higher number of pods plantG 1 , number of seeds podG 1 and 1000-grain weight. Protein contents were also influenced significantly by nitrogen application, being maximum (26.18%) at nitrogen level of 40 kg haG 1 . Nitrogen application at the rate of 40 kg ha seems to be the optimum level for harvesting higher yield of mungbean.