Effect of Integrated Nitrogen Management on Growth Performance of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Var. Contendor under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir Valley

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of integrated nitrogen management on growth performance characteristics of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) var. contendor under temperate conditions of Kashmir valley during kharif season of 2014 at the research farm of SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block (RDF) design with 13 treatments and 3 replications. The combination of dalweed compost and vermicompost with bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium) and reduced dose of chemical fertilizers were tested in comparison with RDF [1]. The soil under study was clay loam in texture, medium in available nitrogen (310.10 kgha-1), phosphorus (22.92 kgha-1) and potassium (249.10 kgha-1) with neutral pH (7.2). The physical, chemical and biological parameters of soil were found to be significantly improved under INM practices than organic and chemical management practices. It was observed that the integrated application of nutrient levels had a significant influence on growth, yield and yield parameters in French bean. The results revealed that application of 75% N through urea + 25% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer (Rhizobium) (22.5 kg N + 0.55 t ha-1 + 20 g kg-1 seed) recorded maximum growth plant height (29.13 cm), plant spread (29.17 cm ), maximum number of branches per plant (5.70) and maximum plant biomass (25.70 q ha-1).and yield characters like Maximum seeds per pod (5.50), Maximum 100-seed weight (40.02 g), Maximum seed yield (23.96 q ha-1) and stover yield (29.20 q ha-1). Thus, it may be concluded that integrated nitrogen management (INM) improved the growth and yield of French bean.