Phosphorus Management in Lathyrus Varieties in Vertisolos

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024 to evaluate the response of Lathyrus varieties to different phosphorus levels for fodder yield, crude protein yield, economics, and post-harvest soil properties under Vertisol conditions. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Four phosphorus levels, 0, 40, 60, and 80 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, were tested with five varieties: BAUL-106, BCK-19-21A, JCL-22-1, Mahateora, and Prateek. The crop was sown on 21 November 2024 using 50 kg seed ha⁻¹ and harvested at 65 days after sowing at 50% flowering for fodder evaluation. The experimental soil was clay loam with pH 7.12, organic carbon 0.56%, available nitrogen 246.15 kg ha⁻¹, available phosphorus 17.36 kg ha⁻¹, and available potassium 301.78 kg ha⁻¹. Among varieties, Prateek recorded the highest mean green fodder yield of 262.68 q ha⁻¹ and dry matter yield of 51.25 q ha⁻¹, while BAUL-106 recorded the lowest values. Among phosphorus levels, 80 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ produced the highest mean green fodder yield of 257.74 q ha⁻¹ and dry matter yield of 55.06 q ha⁻¹. The treatment combination Prateek with 80 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ recorded the highest green fodder yield of 284.00 q ha⁻¹ and dry matter yield of 59.90 q ha⁻¹. The results indicate that Prateek responded favourably to higher phosphorus application under the tested conditions.