Abstract

Ahmad Ghasemi Mostafa Rostam Ansari and Ruhollah Omidyar

An experiment was carried out at farmer’s field in Shivanagar VDC, Chitwan to evaluate the response of three level of microfertilizers both sodium molybdate and boric acid loading (250, 500 and 750 ppm), 500 ppm of sodium molybdate mixed with 500 ppm of boric acid, water priming and unprimed; and economics of mungbean production under the period of March to June, 2010. All treatments except control were primed either in nutrient solution or water for 6 h and shade dried for 30 min before sowing. Nine treatments and four replications were arranged in randomized complete block design. The research revealed significantly early seed emergence on priming and/or nutrient loading than unpriming (5.5 day), but flowering and maturity were not affected significantly. Higher grain yield (1583 kg ha-1 ) was obtained under 250 ppm boric acid loading as compared to unprimed (1237 kg ha-1 ) and priming (1318 kg ha-1 ) but at par to 250 ppm sodium molybdate and 500 ppm boric acid loading. Grain yield increment was 28 and 17% in 250 ppm boric acid loading over the control unprimed and water priming, respectively. The higher grain yield was due to higher number of clusters per plant, grains per pod and hundred grain weights. Higher protein content (23.3%) was recorded in 750 ppm sodium molybdate and mixed nutrient loading. Fat and metabolic energy were significantly the highest and lowest total ash content in 500 ppm sodium molybdate loading. There was no significance on cost of production but Rs. 61 higher in mixed micronutrient loading than control or plain water priming (Rs. 48855 ha-1 ). Higher protein content (23.3%) was recorded under 750 ppm sodium molybdate and mixed nutrient loading. Fat and metabolic energy were significantly higher where total ash content was significantly the lowest under 500 ppm sodium molybdate loading. Cost of production was the lowest under control and water priming (Rs. 48855 ha-1 ). Benefit/cost ratio was significantly the highest under 250 ppm boric acid loading (2.75) being at par with 250 ppm sodium molybdate and 500 ppm boric acid loading. However, priming, that is, non monetary input and/or low concentration of micronutrients loading led to grow faster, flower earlier and yield higher as low cost technology. Finally, 250 ppm boric acid loading proved outstanding in all respects, that is, growth, development, yield attributes, yield and economics.