Effect of Biochar and Biofertilizers on Productivity and Profitability of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) in Semi-arid Eastern Plain Zone of Rajasthan

Background: Low yields of pulses in India are mainly due to the use of poor-quality seeds, cultivation on marginal soils with low inputs, inadequate pest and disease management, moisture stress and unscientific post-harvest and storage practices. In this context use of alternative sources of plant nutrients such as bio-fertilizers and organic sources is the need of the time. Methods: The present study aimed to evaluate the response of biochar and biofertilizers on productivity and profitability of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) in Semi-arid Eastern Plain Zone of Rajasthan. A field experiment was conducted during kharif season (2021) on mung bean at SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications, Consisted of four levels of biochar (control, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 ton/ha) and four treatment of biofertilizers (Control, Rhizobium, PSB and Rhizobium + PSB). Result: The results revealed that the application of biochar @ 4.0 ton/ha produced significantly higher number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, pod length, seed yield (1151 kg/ha), straw yield (2547 kg/ha) and biological yield (3816 kg/ha) and net returns (₹49910/ha) of mung bean over control and application of biochar @ 2.0 ton/ha. However, it was at par with 6.0 ton/ha biochar for almost all parameters. Further, the B: C ratio of mung bean decreased as biochar levels increased and highest B:C ratio was obtained in control. Results further showed that seed inoculation with Rhizobium + PSB significantly increased the number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, pod length, seed yield (1158 kg/ha), straw yield (2564 kg/ha) and biological yield (3722 kg/ha), net returns (₹57311/ha) and B: C ratio (2.36) of mung bean.