Field evaluation of eff effective microorganisms (EM ) application for growth, nodulation, and nutrition of mung bean

Abstract

Eff ective microorganisms (EM) is a commercial biofertilizer that contains a mixture of co-existing benefi cial microorganisms collected from natural environments. Predominantly it consists of species of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and actinomycetes. Th e present study was conducted to evaluate the eff ect of EM application on growth, nodulation, yield, and nutrient uptake in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] var. NIAB Mung 98 under fi eld conditions. Field soil was amended with farmyard manure at 20 t ha-1, Trifolium alexandrinum green manure at 20 t ha-1, and recommended (NPK) and half (½ NPK) doses of chemical fertilizers. EM was applied in the form of a dilute solution in water (1:1000) at fortnight intervals throughout the experiment. EM application signifi cantly enhanced shoot biomass in farmyard manure, ½ NPK and NPK amendments. Similarly, EM signifi cantly increased grain yield by 24% and 46% in farmyard manure and NPK fertilizers amendments, respectively. By contrast, in green manure amendment, EM application resulted in a signifi cant decline of 23% in grain yield. In ½ NPK amendment, the eff ect of EM application on grain yield was insignifi cant. Nodulation in terms of number and biomass of nodules was signifi cantly suppressed by EM application in farmyard manure and green manure amendments. In NPK amendment, a signifi cant increase in nodule biomass was recorded due to EM application. EM signifi cantly enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrition of the test plant in farmyard manure amendment both at fl owering stage and maturity. However, in NPK amended soil, EM application markedly enhanced plant nutrition at later growth stage only.