Effect of Biofertilizers and Graded Nutrient Management on Soil Physico-chemical Properties and Yield of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in Bundelkhand Region

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24 at the Integrated Farming System Unit, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers and graded nutrient doses on soil physico-chemical properties and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline (pH 7.9), low in organic carbon and deficient in available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications and ten treatments comprising 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) in combination with Azotobacter, phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB) and sulphur-solubilising bacteria (SSB). Results indicated that soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, bulk density, particle density and porosity were not significantly influenced by the treatments; however, numerically favourable values were consistently observed under integrated biofertilizer treatments, particularly T4 (100% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + SSB). Seed and stover yields were significantly enhanced under integrated nutrient management, with the highest yields recorded under T4. Application of biofertilizers with 75% RDF produced yields comparable to higher fertiliser levels. The study demonstrates that the combined application of biofertilizers with recommended fertiliser doses improves crop productivity while maintaining soil physico-chemical properties under mustard cultivation in the Bundelkhand region.