Effect of fertigation, mulching and micronutrients on the soil and leaf nutrient contents of pole bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under polyhouse

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2017-18 to study the effect of fertigation on the soil and leaf nutrient contents of pole bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under naturally ventilated polyhouse at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (ZAHRS), Navile, Shivamogga. The experiment consisted of 12 treatments and three replications were laid out in randomized block design. As there is no standard recommended dose of fertilizers for pole bean under fertigation, the recommended fertilizer dosage for French bean (63:100:75 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) was taken as the basis. The study revealed that, highest soil pH (7.24) and EC (0.13 dSm-1) was found in the treatment (T12) with fertigation at 70 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (44.1:70:53 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) along with the mulching and foliar application of micronutrients (0.5 %) and the highest available soil N (470.93 kg ha-1), P (463.83 kg ha-1) and K (292.63 kg ha-1) was found in the treatment T1 with fertigation at 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (63:100:75 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha). It was also observed that the treatment T12 registered the highest leaf nutrient status like, nitrogen (0.86 %), potassium (0.2 %), iron (386 ppm), manganese (230 ppm), zinc (79.87 ppm), and copper content (13.88 ppm). Whereas, the leaf phosphorus (0.65 %) content was found highest in the treatment (T11) with 80 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (50.40:80:60 N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha) as water soluble fertilizer combination with mulching and micronutrients spray (0.5 %).