EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF GARDEN PEA (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during December 2007 to February 2008 to study the effects of different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth and yield of garden pea. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications of each treatment. The unit plot size was 2.4 m2 ( 1.6 m x 1.5 m). There were 12 treaunent combinations in the experiment comprising 4 levels of N (0. 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha designated as N0• N3o. N60 and N90. respectively) and 3 levels of P (0, 50 and 75 kg P205/ha designated as P0, P50 & P15, respectively). The individual and combined effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on growth and yield of garden pea were studied. The individual and interaction effects of N and P on growth and yield was found significant. Nitrogen@ 90 kg/ha gave the highest plant height, root length, highest number of branches per plant. highest pod length. highest number of seed per pods, 1000-seed weight, highest green pod yield and seed yield per hectare. The highest plant height, highest root length, highest green pod yield was recorded in 75 kg P205/ha. Phosphorus @ 50 kg/ha gave the highest number of branches per plant. highest length of pods and seed yield per hectare. The treatment combination of NooPso produced the maximum plant height. root length. highest green pod yield and highest seed yield per hectare but the treatment combination of N90 P75 gave the maximum plant height at vegetative stage. highest number of pods per plant, highest length of pod and maximum N, P, K and S content in plants. Lowest N, P, Kand S contents were found in control (N0P0) treatment. From the present findings it can be concluded that combined application of N @ 90 kg/ha and P @ 50 kg/ha is the most suitable combination to achieve the maximum return from garden pea plants.