Response of biofertilizer and graded doses of phosphorus on mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in an Inceptisols of western undulating zone of Odisha

The field experiments were conducted during Rabi season of 2024-25 at instructional farm of College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhawanipatna, Odisha to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers (PSB and Rhizobium) and graded doses of phosphorus(0, 75%, 100% and 125% RDF of P₂O₅) on the performance of green gram (Vigna radiate L.). Loamy sand soil of the experimental field was medium available P₂O₅. Application of biofertilizers and graded doses of phosphorus caused marked improvement in plant height, nodules per plant, pods/plant, average seeds per pod, protein content, seed and haulms yields, N, P and K content in seed and haulm and nutrient uptake. Application of 125% P+PSB+Rhizobium significantly increased economic yield over control and it was significantly at par with 100% P+PSB+Rhizobium. Nutrient content and uptake in kernel and haulm of green gram crop was significantly improved in treatments of 100% P+PSB+Rhizobium over control and were at par with highest level of 125% P+PSB+Rhizobium. Due to application of biofertilizers and graded doses of phosphorus the nutrient use efficiency and apparent nutrient recovery of P increased in treated plots. It has been recorded that Phosphorus Use Efficiency (PUE) ranged between 8.6 and 15.2 kg yield advantage per kg of P added (highest being in 75% P+PSB+Rhizobium). Similarly, Apparent Phosphorus Recovery (APR) varied between 11.2 and 25.8 per cent (highest being in 75% P+PSB+Rhizobium). Supplementation of 100% P2O5+PSB+Rhizobium is recommended to attain significantly higher yield over sole application of recommended fertilizer of 20-40-40 kg of N: P₂O₅: K₂O in green gram crop in a loamy sand soils of medium P status. Biofertilizer and graded doses of phosphorus supplementation approach in green gram crop maintained favorable residual status of soil in terms of pH (soil reaction), organic carbon content available N, P and, K.