Growth, yield, quality and nutrient use efficiency of field bean as influence by planting geometry and nutrient levels

A field experiment was conducted to investigate performance of field bean with varying spacing and fertilizer levels at ZARS, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. The experiment consisted of two factors i.e., spacing and fertilizer each at four different levels. Among spacing levels, growth parameters such as plant height (85.61 cm) were recorded significantly higher in 45 cm × 15 cm spacing (S₁) but number of branches (6.9), leaf area (906.5 cm² plant^-1) and dry matter production (31.1 g plant^-1) were recorded significantly higher in 60 cm × 30 cm spacing (S₄) at harvest. Similarly higher seed yield (848.7 kg ha^-1) and harvest index (0.36) was recorded in 45 cm × 15 cm spacing (S₁). Among different fertilizer levels higher plant height (85.38 cm), number of branches (6.8), leaf area (897.2 cm² plant^-1) and dry matter production (28.6 g plant^-1) at harvest. Similarly higher seed yield (764.6 kg ha^-1) and haulm yield (1760.34 kg ha^-1) were recorded in 150% RDF application (F₄). Among different fertilizer levels higher protein content (23.26%) was recorded in fertilizer application at 150% RDF and significantly higher partial factor productivity of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (35.06, 17.53 and 35.06 kg seed yield kg^-1 nutrient applied, respectively) and Significantly higher internal utilization efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (16.42, 127.7 and 17.86 kg seed yield kg^-1 nutrient uptake, respectively) were recorded in 75% RDF level of nutrient application.