Effect of seed rate on growth,yield components and yield of mash bean grown under irrigated conditions of arid uplands of Balochistan,Pakistan

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of six different seed rates viz.,15,17.5,20,22.5,25 and 27.5 kg ha-1 on the growth,yield and yield attributes of mash bean vigna mungo (l.) hepper). this study was conducted for two consecutive years at the agriculture research institute (ari) under the existing semi-arid climatic,edaphic and water conditions of quetta,balochistan. results revealed that plant population,pods plant-1,grain yield plant-1 and grain yield ha-1 were significantly (p<0.05 influenced by varying seed rates. however,other mentioned growth and yield attributes did not respond significantly. statistically and numerically a maximum yield plant-1 (20.98 g) and yield ha-1 (3120 kg) were obtained in applied seed @ 20 kg ha-1. whereas,the same was obtained for plant population and plant height in applied seed rate of 25 kg ha-1. however,maximum number of branches plant-1 (4.22) was received for applied seeds @ 15 kg ha-1. therefore,seed @ 20 kg ha-1 seems optimum which could be due to the most desirable population or planting density in the existing environmental conditions of quetta. results further revealed that only plant population plot-1 (r=0.481),and yield plant-1 (r=0.569) were significantly and positively correlated with grain yield ha-1,while all other remaining growth and yield attributes exhibited insignificant association with grain yield ha-1. hence these two parameters i.e.,planting density and grain yield plant-1 should be given more consideration while deciding about selection criteria for mash bean under irrigated conditions of arid uplands of balochistan.