Performance of Phosphorus Levels and Varieties on Growth Yield and Quality of Pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Abstract
Afield experiment was conducted during the Rabi season in 2023-2024 at the Research farm, Department of Agronomy, AKS University, Satna (M.P.), to evaluate the effect of phosphorus levels and varieties on growth, yield, and quality of pea (Pisum sativum L.). The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design comprising four phosphorus levels viz. 0kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, 20kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, 40kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, 60kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ and three pea varieties viz. KN-5, Aman, KS-10, with treatments replicated thrice. Results revealed that different levels of phosphorus significantly affected the growth parameters as well as yield attributes and yield of pea. Application of 60kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ (P₃) recorded maximum plant height at 90 DAS (62.10cm), number of pods per plant (14.32), pod length (8.47cm), grain yield (47.65q ha⁻¹), stover yield (85.23q ha⁻¹), test weight (18.32g), and protein content (23.24%). However, phosphorus levels of 40kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ (P₂) showed slightly higher harvest index (32.10%). Among the varieties, Aman exhibited the best performance, recording maximum grain yield, protein content, and other yield attributes.
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Introduction
Pea (Pisum sativum L.)is one of the most important pulse crops grown during the winter season and is highly valued for its rich nutritional content, including high levels of digestible protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. In India, pea is cultivated over an area of 5.97 lakh hectares, contributing to a total production of 8.60 lakh tonnes (Anonymous, 2020) [1]. Madhya Pradesh is a key pea-growing state, with approximately 0.58 lakh hectares under cultivation, producing around 0.48 lakh tonnes (Anonymous, 2020) [2]. Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient, playing a crucial role in plant development, particularly in processes like root formation, energy transformation, and nitrogen fixation. Phosphorus is a component of important molecules like nucleic acids, phospholipids, and ATP. In legumes such as pea, adequate phosphorus availability enhances root nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation, which are vital for improving plant growth and yield (Tsvetkova and Georgiev, 2007) [3]. A deficiency of phosphorus can lead to poor nodulation and lower yields, particularly in low-nutrient soils.
Research has demonstrated that phosphorus application can significantly improve pea growth parameters such as plant height, number of branches, and root development. For instance, Gupta et al. (2000) [4] found that phosphorus application leads to deeper root systems and better nutrient absorption. In pea cultivation, phosphorus enhances pod formation, grain weight, and protein content, making it a key nutrient for maximizing crop productivity (Bhat et al., 2013) [5]. Varietal selection also plays a crucial role in determining crop yield and quality. Different pea varieties exhibit varying responses to phosphorus fertilization, with some showing greater tolerance to low phosphorus conditions or higher yields under optimal phosphorus levels (Singh and Singh, 2017) [6]. Hence, the interaction between phosphorus levels and varieties must be optimized to achieve higher yields and better quality pea production. This study aims to evaluate the performance of different phosphorus levels and varieties of pea on growth, yield, and quality, thereby providing insights into optimal agronomic practices for pea cultivation in phosphorus-deficient regions.
Conclusion
The present study investigated the effect of different phosphorus levels and pea varieties on growth, yield, and quality parameters. The application of phosphorus significantly influenced all growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, and branches per plant, with the highest values observed at 60kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹. Among the varieties, Aman demonstrated superior performance in terms of plant height, number of pods per plant, and overall yield. The maximum grain yield, test weight, and protein content were achieved with the application of 60kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, particularly when combined with the Aman variety. This treatment combination produced the highest grain yield per hectare, along with improved stover yield and protein content. In conclusion, the application of 60kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ is recommended for optimal pea growth and yield, especially when using the Aman variety. These findings suggest that the interaction between phosphorus levels and variety selection plays a critical role in enhancing pea crop productivity, and phosphorus fertilization is essential for maximizing both yield and quality. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The first author of this manuscript is deeply thankful to Dr. T. Singh, Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, AKS University, Sherganj, Satna, for providing all the necessary experimental facilities, valuable guidance, and critical suggestions, which were instrumental in the successful conduct of the experiment and the preparation of this manuscript. The author also extends sincere gratitude to Mr. Amit Singh Tiwari, Assistant Professor, for his supervision, encouragement, and support throughout the research work
