Effect of date of sowing and level of phosphorus on growth and yield of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in Red and Lateritic soils of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of two sowing dates (16th March and 26th March) and five phosphorus levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2 O5 / ha) in mungbean during pre-kharif (summer) season of 2022 at Instructional Farm of Seacom Skills University, Kendradangal, Birbhum, West Bengal, India. The research work revealed that growth parameters were significantly higher under 26th March sowing over 16th March. Among the P levels, higher dose of P improved growth parameters. In case of yield attributes maximum number of pods/plant (9.6), pod length (6.9 cm) and seeds/pod (10.3) were recorded in 26th March sown crop of mungbean. Maximum seed yield (705 kg/ ha) and stover yield (1609 kg/ha) also recorded in 26th March sowing. Different P dose showed significant variations for yield traits and maximum pods/plant (11.45), pod length (7.96 cm) and seeds/pod (11.23) recorded with 80 kg P2 O5 / ha. Highest seed yield (812 kg/ha) and stover yield (1710 kg/ha) were obtained with 80 kg P2 O5 /ha. The gross returns, net returns and benefit: cost ratio was maximum when the crop sown on 26th March with 80 kg P2 O5 /ha. Hence, mungbean sown on 26th March 2022 along with 80 kg P2 O5 /ha application could be more effective in augmenting growth, yield and economics in the red and lateritic soils of West Bengal.