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Research Article

Legume Research, volume 43 issue 2 (april 2020) : 212-220

Interaction effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on nutrient uptake, yield and yield attributing parameters of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Mamta Phogat1, A.P. Rai2, Sunil Kumar3
1Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India.
2Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SKUAST-J, Chatha, Jammu-180 009, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
3Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SKRAU, Bikaner-334 006, Rajasthan, India.

  • Submitted10-11-2017|

  • Accepted23-03-2018|

  • First Online 16-07-2018|

  • doi 10.18805/LR-3963

Cite article:- Phogat Mamta, Rai A.P., Kumar Sunil (2018). Interaction effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on nutrient uptake, yield and yield attributing parameters of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] . Legume Research. 43(2): 212-220. doi: 10.18805/LR-3963.

ABSTRACT

The experiment comprising of four levels of phosphorus, i.e., 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 and three levels of sulphur, i.e., 0, 15 and 30 kg ha-1, was conducted during summer of 2015-16 to investigate the interaction effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on nutrients uptake and yield of black gram cv. Uttara. The treatments were laid in randomized block design (Factorial) with three replications. The results revealed utmost concentration and uptake of phosphorus in seed (0.376% and 3.59 kg ha-1) and stover (0.266% and 6.38 kg ha-1) and sulphur in seed (0.397% and 3.79 kg ha-1) and stover (0.134% and 3.21 kg ha-1) with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1, indicating synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur on nutrient uptake, respectively. The results also revealed that combined application of phosphorus and sulphur showed synergistic effect on seed and stover yield of black gram with increasing levels of phosphorus and sulphur up to highest level as both the nutrients mutually help absorption and utilization by black gram probably due to balanced nutrition. The seed and stover yield were 955.50 and 2398.30 kg ha-1 with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. The yield attributes of black gram viz., plant height, number of pods plant-1 and 100 seeds weight also increased significantly with increasing levels of phosphorus and sulphur up to highest level and the optimum values were recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. However, non-significant response of phosphorus and sulphur application has been observed in case of plant population (m-2).

INTRODUCTION

Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] is one of the important pulse crops grown throughout India. It is a protein rich (25%) food containing almost three times that of cereals, thus, it is a major source of protein to vegetarian populace. In Jammu and Kashmir, the total area under legume crops is 28.7 thousand hectares with an average productivity of 584 kg ha-1, which is well below the national level of productivity- 905 kg ha-1 (Anonymous, 2016). One of the major factors responsible for its low yield is no or inadequate application of nutrients particularly phosphorus and sulphur. It can meet its nitrogen requirement by symbiotic fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, however, the nutrients, which need attention, are phosphorus and sulphur (Thakur and Negi, 1985; Nandal, et al., 1987). Black gram being a legume crop essentially requires high amount of phosphorus for plant growth and development, as it plays a key role in photosynthesis, sugars metabolism, energy storage and transfer, cell division, cell enlargement, transfer of genetic information, root growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation in plants. Yield increase due to phosphorus application is significant due to its wide spread deficiency in soils of India in general and of J&K in particular. Motsara (2002) found 42, 38 and 20% samples of Indian soil low, medium and high in available phosphorus, respectively. Accordingly, 80% of the soils in India need phosphorus application at recommended rates, thus, application of phosphorus fertilizers in required quantity is essential to arrest phosphorus mining from the soil to sustain high yield of crops.
        
Black gram also responds well to sulphur fertilization especially in sulphur deficient soils since it has profound influence on protein synthesis and is a part of amino acids such as cystein, cystine and methionine. The sulphur deficiency has been widely observed in large areas especially in light textured soils low in organic matter due to the use of sulphur free fertilizers like urea and diammonium phosphate (Sinha et al., 1995). Available sulphur in soils of Jammu region ranges between 2.42 and 5.1 mg kg-1, which is below the critical limit (Kour et al., 2010). In fact, sulphur is the second most important plant nutrient after phosphorus for legume crops. Sulphur interacts with phosphorus as phosphate ion is more strongly bound than sulphate (Hegde and Murthy, 2005). Phosphorus and Sulphur interaction is found to be synergistic on dry matter yield of different crops at their lower levels of application, but at their higher levels of application, there was antagonistic interaction (Aulakh et al., 1990; Islam et al., 2006). Information on the effect of combined application of phosphorus and sulphur on yield, quality and content of each nutrient in black gram is rather limited in subtropical zone of Jammu. Therefore, it was very much essential to develop a strong workable and compatible package of phosphorus and sulphur management for black gram based on scientific facts and local conditions. Keeping in view the above facts, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of phosphorus and sulphur interaction on nutrients uptake and yield of black gram in subtropical zone of Jammu.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment comprising of four levels of phosphorus, i.e., 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 and three levels of sulphur, i.e., 0, 15 and 30 kg ha-1, was conducted at Research Farm of the Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SKUAST-J, Main Campus, Chatha during summer of 2015-16 to investigate the interaction effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on nutrients uptake and yield of black gram cv. Uttara. The treatments were laid in randomized block design (Factorial) with three replications. The experimental site was subtropical endowed with hot and dry summer, hot and humid monsoon season and the annual rainfall 1050-1133 mm, of which, about 75% was received from June to September. During the crop-growing period from April to July, the minimum temperature was 17.1°C and maximum 37.6°C, rainfall 173.22 mm and relative humidity 58.5%. The soil was sandy clay loam in texture, low in organic carbon, nitrogen and sulphur and medium in phosphorus and potash with pH 8.2 and EC 0.16 dSm-1. The representative soil samples were collected from a soil depth of 0-15 cm. The soil samples were dried under shade and ground with a pestle-mortar and then sieved through 2 mm sieve and stored for further analysis. The physico-chemical properties (Table 1) of the soil were determined according to standard methods (Page, 1982; Bingham et al., 1982). The seed of black gram cv. Uttara was sown @ 20 kg ha-1 in a plot size of 3x2 m2, maintaining line spacing 30 cm. All the recommended package and practices were followed for raising a healthy crop. The data recorded on plant height (cm), plant population (number m-2), number of pods plant-1, 100 seed weight (g), phosphorus and sulphur concentration and yield parameters were subjected to statistical analysis by using the method of Steel and Torrie (1980).
 

Table 1: Physico-chemical characteristics of the experimental soils


 
Experimental details
 
Using Uttara, a high yielding variety of black gram as the test crop, the experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (F-RBD) during summer season of 2015-16 with three replications. The treatments consisted of 4 phosphorus levels as one factor and 3 sulphur levels as another factor.
 
Test crop                           :   Black gram cv. Uttara
Seed Rate                          :   20 kg ha-1
Row to Row Spacing       :   30 cm
Phosphorous levels        :   Four (0, 20, 30 and 50 P2O5| kg ha-1)
Sulphur levels                  :   Three (0, 15 and 30 S kg ha-1)
Soil                                    :   Light textured soil (Sandy clay loam)
Basal doses                       :   N @ 16 kg ha-1
Source of fertilizers         :   N- Urea and DAP; P - DAP; S -Zypsum
Statistical Design             :   Factorial Randomized Block Design (F-RBD)
Replications                     :   Three
Total No. of Plots             :   4 (P levels) x 3 (S levels) x 3 (Replications) = 36
Plot Size                            :   3 x 2 m2
Irrigation                           :   As and when required
Harvesting                        :   At maturity
 
Plant Analysis
Preparation of plant samples
 
The harvested plant samples were washed with 0.1N HCl solution followed by distilled water and finally with double distilled water to remove soil particles and any other foreign materials adhered to plant samples. The excess of water was removed by gentle shaking and pressing the plant samples against filter papers. The washed plant samples were air-dried in the sun for seven days in screen house by keeping them in numbered paper bags. Later, the plant samples were dried in an air draft oven at 60±2°C until the weight became constant. The dry weight of the plant samples of each plot was recorded with the help of electronic balance. Then, the plant samples were ground in a stainless steel grinder, mixed and stored in labeled polyethylene bags for laboratory analysis.
 
Digestion of plant samples
 
For the determination of phosphorus and sulphur content, 0.5 g of plant sample was digested in a diacid mixture of AR grade HNO3 and HClO4 in ratio of 4:1 on a hot plate until clear colourless solution was obtained. The digested aliquots were transferred to 50 ml volumetric flasks and the volume was made up to the mark by adding distill water. The extracts were filtered through Whatman No. 1 filter paper and stored in well-washed plastic bottles for elemental analysis.
 
Phosphorus content
 
In the digested aliquots was determined by Vandomolybdo phosphoric acid yellow colour method of Koenig and Johnson (1942).
 
Sulphur content
 
In the digested aliquots was determined by turbidimetric method of Chesnin and Yien (1951).
 
Nutrient uptake by black gram
 
The uptake of phosphorus and sulphur in seed and Stover samples of black gram was calculated by multiplying percent nutrient content with their respective dry matter accumulation as per the formula given below:

 

Yield and yield attributing parameters
 
For all the growth and development studies during the crop growth period, five plants were selected randomly and tagged in each plot except dry matter  accumulation  where  plants from second border  rows  were  selected  for  recording  observations.
 
Plant height
 
Plant height of all the five tagged plants was measured with the help of metre scale rod from the ground surface to the tip of the upper most fully opened leaf from net plot area of each plot. The observations were averaged to work out the mean plant height per plot.
 
Plant population (m-2)
 
Two spots of one square metre were randomly selected and marked in each plot. The average number of plants from each selected spot within the plot was counted and expressed as plant population (m-2).
 
Number of pods per plant
 
Number of pods from all the five tagged plants were counted separately from net plot area  of each plot and expressed as number of pods per plant.
 
Seed yield
 
The threshed seeds of black gram obtained from each net plot were weighed separately and finally converted into q ha-1 by multiplying with conversion factor given below:
 

Stover yield
 
The total biological yield (seed + stover) from the net plot was recorded and stover yield was worked out by subtracting the seed yield from the biological yield and expressed in q ha-1 by multiplying the same conversion factor employed for seed yield of black gram.

RESULTS AND DISCUSION

Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on phosphorus concentration (%) in seed and stover of black gram
 
It is observed that the application of phosphorus significantly increased the phosphorus concentration in seed and stover of black gram (Table 2). The maximum phosphorus concentration in seed (0.365 %) and stover (0.249 %) of black gram was obtained at phosphorus application 60 kg ha–1. The higher values for phosphorus concentration at its higher doses were attributed to its increased availability to plants. Contrary to this, the application of sulphur had no significant effect on phosphorus concentration in seed and stover of black gram. The highest concentration of phosphorus in seed (0.376 %) and stover (0.266 %) of black gram was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. The results obtained are in conformity with those of Singh and Singh (2004) in black gram, Yadav (2011) in cluster bean, Teotia et al., (2000) and Islam et al., (2006) in moong bean and Deo and Khaldelwal (2009) in chickpea.
 

Table 2: Effect of different levels of phosphorus and sulphur application on phosphorus concentration (%) in seed and stover of black gram.


 
Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on phosphorus uptake (kg ha-1) by seed and stover of black gram
 
The application of phosphorus significantly increased the phosphorus uptake by seed and stover of black gram (Table 3). The increase in phosphorus uptake in seed and stover with successive application of phosphorus 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 over control was 58.02, 102.29 and 143.51 and 100.00, 185.90 and 251.28%, respectively. This high magnitude of increase in phosphorus uptake by seed and stover with the application of phosphorus might be due to higher availability of phosphorus, resulting in higher yield (Table 7) as well as higher concentration of phosphorus (Table 2) in black gram.
 

Table 3: Effect of different levels of phosphorus and sulphur application on phosphorus uptake (kg ha-1) by seed and stover of black gram.


        
Further perusal of data presented in Table 3 reveals that the application of sulphur also significantly increased the phosphorus uptake in seed and stover of black gram. The increase in phosphorus uptake in seed and stover with successive application of sulphur 15 and 30 kg ha-1 over control was 20.83 and 39.06 and 21.07 and 45.82%, respectively. This pattern of phosphorus uptake with different levels of sulphur might be due to the increased availability of phosphorus.
        
The maximum phosphorus uptake in seed (3.59 kg ha-1) and stover (6.38 kg ha-1) of black gram was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1, indicating synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur on each other as both the nutrients mutually help in their absorption and utilization probably due to balanced nutrition. Similar trends of phosphorus uptake were observed by Singh et al., (2014) in mung bean and Yadav (2011) in cluster bean.
 
Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on sulphur concentration (%) in seed and stover of black gram
 
The application of sulphur significantly increased the sulphur concentration in seed and stover of black gram (Table 4). increase in sulphur concentration in seed and stover with successive application of sulphur 15 and 30 kg ha-1 over control was 12.23 and 19.12 and 8.04 and 12.50%, respectively. The higher values of sulphur concentration at its higher doses were attributed to its increased availability to plants.
 

Table 4: Effect of different levels of phosphorus and sulphur application on sulphur concentration (%) in seed and stover of black gram.


 
The perusal of data in Table 4 further reveals that the application of phosphorus had no significant effect on sulphur concentration in seed and stover of black gram.
        
The maximum sulphur concentration in seed (0.397%) and stover (0.134%) of black gram was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. The similar kind of results were obtained by Singh and Singh (2004) in black gram, Yadav (2011) in cluster bean, Teotia et al., (2000) and Islam et al., (2006) in moong bean and Deo and Khaldelwal (2009) in chickpea.
 
Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on sulphur uptake (kg ha-1) by seed and stover of black gram
 
The data clearly indicate that the application of phosphorus significantly increased the sulphur uptake by seed and stover of black gram (Table 5). The data clearly indicate that the application of phosphorus 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 significantly increased the sulphur uptake by seed (33.94, 63.03 and 99.39%) and stover (37.14, 65.71 and 100.71%) over control, respectively. The maximum sulphur uptake in seed and stover (3.29 and 2.81 kg ha-1) of black gram was obtained at phosphorus application 60 kg ha-1. This pattern of sulphur uptake with different levels of phosphorus might be due to the trend observed in sulphur concentration (Table 4) and yield of black gram (Table 7).
 

Table 5: Effect of different levels of phosphorus and sulphur application on sulphur uptake (kg ha-1) by seed and stover of black gram.


 

Table 7: Effect of different levels of phosphorus and sulphur application on 100 seed weight (g), seed yield (kg ha-1) and stover yield (kg ha-1) of black gram (cv. Uttara).


        
Further, a perusal of data presented in Table 5 reveals that the application of sulphur significantly increased the sulphur uptake in seed and stover of black gram. The increase in sulphur uptake in seed and stover with successive application of sulphur 15 and 30 kg ha-1 over control was 27.04 and 49.49, and 22.99 and 41.38%, respectively. The maximum sulphur uptake in seed and stover (2.93 and 2.46 kg ha-1) of black gram was recorded at sulphur 30 kg ha-1, respectively. This high magnitude of increase in sulphur uptake in seed and stover with the application of sulphur might be due to higher availability of sulphur, resulting in higher yield (Table 7) as well as higher concentration of sulphur (Table 4) in black gram.
        
A significant interaction was found between phosphorus and sulphur. The maximum sulphur uptake in seed (3.79 kg ha-1) and stover (3.21 kg ha-1) of black gram was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1, indicating synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur on each other since both the nutrients mutually help in their absorption and utilization probably due to balanced nutrition. The similar trend of sulphur uptake was observed by Singh et al., (2014) in mung bean and Yadav (2011) in cluster bean.
 
Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on plant height (cm)
 
Plant height of black gram significantly increased with successive application of phosphorus up to highest level of phosphorus 60 kg ha-1 over control (Table 6). The % increase in mean plant height with the successive application of phosphorus 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 over control was 29.82, 46.80 and 61.13, respectively. The maximum mean plant height of black gram that is 43.28 cm was obtained at phosphorus application 60 kg ha-1. The very high magnitude of increase in plant height with the application of phosphorus might be attributed to the poor available phosphorus status of the experimental soil (Table 1) as well as the highly responsive nature of the black gram (cv. Uttara) to phosphorus application. Similar results were also reported by Jat et al., (2012) in fenugreek that application of phosphorus significantly increased the plant height up to phosphorus 60 kg ha-1. However, the present findings are in partially agreement with the result of Bothe et al., (2000) who reported that the application of phosphorus @ 75 kg ha-1 enhanced the plant height of soybean at highest value. Maurya and Rathi (2000) also found the positive effect of phosphorus on the plant height of soybean.
 

Table 6: Effect of different levels of phosphorus and sulphur application on plant height, plant population and number of pods plant-1 of black gram (cv. Uttara).


        
Further, the data on plant height (Table 6) revealed that the application of sulphur also significantly increased the plant height of black gram. The % increase in mean plant height with the successive application of sulphur 15 and 30 kg ha-1 over control was 15.32 and 26.85, respectively. The maximum mean plant height of black gram (40.16 cm) was recorded at sulphur 30 kg ha-1. This high magnitude of increase in plant height with the application of sulphur is also attributed to the low available sulphur status of the experimental soil (Table 1) and positive effects of sulphur on N-metabolism and consequently on the vegetative growth of black gram. However, the magnitude of increase in plant height with the application of sulphur was of lower order as compared to phosphorus application. Akter et al., (2013) reported highest plant height of soybean at sulphur 40 kg ha-1 which was statistically at par with that of sulphur 30 kg ha-1. The results were also found in conformity with those reported by Jat et al., (2012) that application of sulphur significantly increased the plant height of fenugreek up to sulphur 45 kg ha-1. Similar findings were also reported in groundnut by Chaubey et at., 2000 and in linseed by Dubey et al., 1997.
        
A significant interaction was found between phosphorus and sulphur and the optimum plant height of black gram i.e. 45.85 cm was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1 clearly indicating synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur on each other as both the nutrients mutually help in their absorption and utilization by black gram probably due to balanced nutrition. Tomar et al., (2004) also found the positive interaction effect of phosphorus and sulphur on the plant height of soybean. The highest plant height might have resulted from the synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur on the growth processes of the plant.
 
Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on plant population (m-2)
 
The data presented in Table 6 clearly showed that the application of phosphorus slightly increased the plant population of black gram. The % increase in mean plant population with the successive application of phosphorus 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 over control was 1.03, 3.19 and 4.50, respectively. The maximum mean plant population of black gram (29.50 m-2) was obtained at phosphorus 60 kg ha-1. Similarly the application of sulphur also slightly increased the plant population of black gram. The % increase in mean plant population with the successive application of sulphur 15 and 30 kg ha-1 over control was 0.45 and 2.13, respectively. The maximum plant population of black gram (29.21 m-2) was recorded at sulphur 30 kg ha-1.
        
A non significant interaction was found between phosphorus and sulphur in black gram (cv. Uttara). However, the optimum plant population of black gram i.e. 30.35 m-2 was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. The probable reason of this slight increase is better root development as well as root proliferation and less mortality of black gram plant after germination. Several studies have shown the positive effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on root growth and morphology (Hilal et al., 1990; Bagayoko et al., 2000). However, non significant interaction was found between phosphorus and sulphur on plant population in black gram (cv. Uttara).
 
 Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on number of pods plant-1
 
The data pertaining to the effect of different levels of phosphorus and sulphur application on number of pods plant-1 of black gram have been presented in Table 6. A perusal of data revealed that the application of phosphorus significantly and markedly increased the number of pods plant-1 of black gram. The % increase in mean number of pods plant-1 with the successive application of phosphorus 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 over control was 16.11, 22.67 and 32.43, respectively. The mean number of pods obtained varies from 18.75 in the treatment where no phosphorus was applied to 24.83 in the treatment where phosphorus 60 kg ha-1 was applied. These findings are in agreement with Akter et al., (2013) who reported that phosphorus application @ 30 kg ha-1 increased the number of pods of soybean. Similar results were also found in soybean by Reddy and Giri (1989), Jana et at. (1990), and Singh and Bajpai (1990). Similarly, the application of phosphorus also significantly increased the number of pods plant-1 of black gram. The % increase in mean number of pods plant-1 with the successive application of sulphur 15 and 30 kg ha–1 over control was 7.20 and 12.95, respectively. The maximum mean number of pods plant-1 of black gram (23.98) was recorded at 30 kg sulphur ha-1 (Table 6). Akter et al., (2013) also found that 40 kg sulphur ha-1 resulted in production of highest number of pods plant-1 (25.38) in soybean and the lowest number of pods plant-1 (19.21) was recorded in no sulphur application. Moreover, Sriramachandrasekharan and Muthukkaruppan (2004) made similar type of observations with the application of 30 kg sulphur ha-1 in the presence of Bradyrhizobium inoculation.
        
A significant interaction was found between phosphorus and sulphur on number of pods plant-1 in black gram (cv. Uttara). The optimum number of pods plant-1 of black gram i.e. 26.00 was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg ha-1 and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. The highest number of pods plant-1 may be due to the fact that, the combined effect of both phosphorus and sulphur had positive effect on the reproductive growth and pod formation of black gram. Akter et al., (2013) also reported significant combined effect of different doses of phosphorus and sulphur fertilizers on the number of pods plant-1 in soybean. They recorded highest number of pods plant-1 (30.73) with the combined application of phosphorus 30 kg ha-1 and sulphur 40 kg ha-1. On the other hand, the lowest number of pods plant-1 (13.00) was recorded in the P0S0 treatment combination. Majumdar et al., (2001) also found that combined application of phosphorus @ 60 kg ha-1 and sulphur 40 kg ha-1 respectively increased the number of pods plant-1.
 
Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on 100 seed weight (g)
 
The data presented in Table 7 indicated that the application of phosphorus significantly and markedly increased the 100 seed weight of black gram. The % increase in mean 100 seed weight with the successive application of phosphorus 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 over control was 9.28, 17.72 and 27.00, respectively. The maximum mean 100 seed weight (g) of black gram (3.01) was obtained at phosphorus 60 kg ha-1. The results confirms with the findings of Akter et al., (2013) that application of phosphorus increased test weight in soybean with the highest test weight of 93.57 g with the application of phosphorus 30 kg ha-1 which was statistically at par with the application of 50 phosphorus kg ha-1. Similar findings were also reported by Reddy and Giri (1989). Data further indicated that the application of sulphur also significantly increased the 100 seed weight of black gram with increasing levels of sulphur. The % increase in mean 100 seed weight with the successive application of sulphur 15 and 30 kg ha-1 over control was 5.47 and 9.77, respectively. The maximum mean 100 seed weight of black gram (2.81 g) was recorded at sulphur 30 kg ha-1. Again, the results obtained are in agreement with Akter et al., (2013) that sulphur application increased test weight in soybean and the maximum test weight (92.78 g) was recorded with sulphur 40 kg application ha–1. Moreover, Hemantarajan and Trivedi (1997), Agrawal and Mishra (1994) also reported that sulphur application increased test weight in soybean.
        
The interaction between phosphorus and sulphur in black gram was found statistically significant. The optimum 100 seed weight (g) of black gram i.e. 3.10 was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. Application of nutrients particularly phosphorus and sulphur in right proportion might have lead to balance development of vegetative and reproductive structure which in turn resulted in formation of large size of seeds in black gram as reported by Tomar et al., 2004, and Majumdar et al., 2001.
 
Effect of phosphorus and sulphur application on seed and stover yield (kg ha-1)
 
The application of phosphorus significantly increased the seed and stover yield of black gram (Table 7). The increase in seed and stover yield with successive application of phosphorus 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 over control was 27.55, 48.16 and 74.84% and 26.56, 47.55 and 72.45%, respectively. Similarly, the application of sulphur also significantly increased the seed and stover yield. The increase in seed and stover yield with successive application of sulphur 15 and 30 kg ha-1 over control was 14.31 and 26.46% and 13.92 and 26.74%, respectively. The black gram response to phosphorus application was more as compared to sulphur application. Synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur on seed and stover yield was more in higher doses. The utmost seed (955.50 kg ha-1) and stover (2398.30 kg ha-1) yield of black gram was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. The synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur might be due to the utilization of more quantity of nutrients through their well-developed root system and nodules, which might have resulted in better growth and yield. These results confirm the earlier findings of Nagar et al., (1993) in soybean, Sinha et al., (1995) in winter maize, Choudhary and Das (1996) in black gram, Shankaralingappa et al., (1999) in cowpea, Randhawa and Arora (2000) in wheat, Teotia et al., (2000) in moong bean, Kumawat et al., (2004) in taramira and Islam et al., (2006) in rice. Aulakh et al., (1990) and Singh et al., (1995) have shown that the nature of phosphorus and sulphur interaction depends on their rates of application.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results, it is concluded that the highest phosphorus concentration in seed (0.376%) and stover (0.266%) of black gram was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. Similarly, the highest uptake of phosphorus in seed (3.59 kg ha-1) and stover (6.38 kg ha-1) of black gram was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. In case of sulphur, the highest concentration in seed (0.397%) and stover (0.134%) of black gram was recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. The sulphur uptake followed the same trend and found utmost in seed (3.79 kg ha-1) and stover (3.21 kg ha-1) of black gram with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1, indicating synergistic effect. The other growth parameters and yield attributes of black gram like plant height (cm), number of pods plant-1, 100 seed weight (g), number of nodules plant-1 also showed synergistic effect with increasing levels of phosphorus and sulphur up to highest level and the optimum values were recorded with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. In case of plant population (m-2), non significant response of phosphorus and sulphur application has been observed, however it slightly increased with each successive application of phosphorus and sulphur up to phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1. Utmost seed (955.50 kg ha-1) and stover (2398.30 kg ha-1) yield of black gram was registered with combined application of phosphorus 60 kg and sulphur 30 kg ha-1, clearly indicating synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur on each other, as both the nutrients mutually help in their absorption and utilization by black gram probably due to balanced nutrition.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Authors are highly thankful to the Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SKUAST-Jammu for providing all necessary facilities to conduct this study.

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