RESPONSE OF PEA (PISUM-SATIVUM) TO PHOSPHORUS, MOLYBDENUM AND BIOFERTILIZERS

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 1991-9 2 and 1992-93 to study the effect of P, Mo and biofertilizers [Rhizobi um and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB)] on growth and yield attr ibutes, yield and nutrient uptake by pea (Pistum sativum L. sensu lato ) in a sandy-loam soil under semi-arid and subtropical climatic condit ions. Application of P up to 25.8 kg/ha significantly improved nodulat ion, plant height, dry-matter accumulation, number of pods/plant, seed s/pod, seed yield, and N and F uptake by the crop. Moreover, response of seed yield to P was linear in nature. Similarly, addition of 0.5 kg Mo/ha marked enhanced growth, yield attributes and yield of the crop. Seed inoculation with Rhizobium or PSB and the combined inoculation r esulted in conspicuous increase in nodulation, nitrogenase activity, g rowth, yield and nutrient uptake by the crop over no inoculation. Howe ver, the increase was more pronounced with the combined inoculation th an with the single ones.