Zinc and Boron Application Improves Yield, Yield Components and Gross Returns of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Abstract

Among pulses, mungbean is being considered as valuable cash crop in Pakistan but its productivity is under stress due to various agronomic and nutrient related management factors. Current study was planned to assess the interactive effect of soil applied zinc (Zn) and boron (B) under both field and pot managed conditions. Experiment was conducted at the Agronomic Research Area, Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad which is located at 31^ᵒ North latitude and 73^ᵒ East longitude with an altitude of 185 meters above sea level. The experimental treatments were comprised of three Zn (0, 2 and 4 kg Zn ha^-1) and three B (0, 2 and 4 kg Zn ha^-1) rates which were applied in nine combinations viz., B₀Zn₀, B₀Zn₂, B₀Zn₄, B₂Zn₀,B₂Zn₂,B₂Zn₄, B₄Zn₀, B₄Zn₂, B₄Zn₄. Results revealed that, variations between field and pot trials as treatment B₀Zn₄ helped to increase plant height (60.66 cm) and pod length (10.17 cm) in field trials while B₂Zn₄ positively affected plant height (56.8 cm & 27 cm), number of pods per plant (38.78 & 20.66), pod length (9.28 cm & 10.18 cm), number of nodules (12.56 & 9) and seed yield (1402 t ha^-1 & 6.42 g plant^-1) in both field and pot trials, respectively. Moreover, B₂Zn₄ treatment also improved the number of pod bearing branches per plant (9.03) and number of seeds per pod (8.36) in field trial as compared to control and other set of treatments. Yield related attributes were also significant with B₂Zn₂ treatment under field conditions but negative effects in terms of low yield and its related attributes were witnessed with other set of treatments under both experimental conditions. Based on this data, B₂Zn₄ isrecommended to farmers facing soil related Zn and B deficiency problems, to get maximum economic returns of mungbean.