SYNERGISTIC USE OF RHIZOBIUM, COMPOST AND NITROGEN TO IMPROVE GROWTH AND YIELD OF MUNGBEAN (Vigna radiata)

Mungbean is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen through rhizobium living in its root nodules. rhizobium inoculation in combination with compost and different levels of mineral nitrogen may improve the performance of mungbean. treatments were comprised of control (uninoculated), rhizobium combined with compost @ 800 kg ha^-1 and three levels (50, 75 and 100%) of recommended mineral nitrogen (rmn). application of compost either in combination with rmn or with rhizobium plus rmn produced significantly higher mungbean yield compared to control. however, the combined application of rhizobium, compost and 75% of the rmn gave maximum increase 18, 82, 87, 89 and 19% in grain nitrogen content, nodule fresh and dry weight, number of nodules and grain yield plant^-1 respectively, compared to control. although, the different combinations of rmn along with rhizobium and compost increased net profit but the maximum net profit (rs. ha^-1 20,431) was obtained by utilizing this combination (75% rmn + compost + rhizobium). the significant positive correlation of nodulation with grain yield (r=0.60) and grain n contents (r=0.61) was observed, however nodulation strongly correlated with height (r=0.81). results demonstrate the potential benefits of using rhizobium along with compost and 75% rmn in order to achieve higher yield of mungbean.