INFLUENCE OF INTEGRATED NITROGEN AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENTS ON THE GROWTH PARAMETERS AND YIELD OF LENTIL

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University farm. Dhaka to study the influence of integrated nitrogen and irrigation managements on the growth parameters and yield of lentil (Letis culinaris) cv. BAR! mashur-4 during the period from November 2006 to March 2007. The trial comprised of ten treatments as T 1 = no fertilizer and no irrigation (control). Ti = 20 kg N ha S' as basal without irrigation, T3 = 20 kg N ha4 as basal with one irrigation at flower initiation stage, '14 = 30 kg N haS' as basal without irrigation = 30 kg N ha" as basal with one irrigation at flower initiation stage. T 6 = 40 kg N ha4 as basal without irrigation, T7 = 40 kg N ha 4 as basal with one irrigation at flower initiation stage, T= 10kg N hi' as basal and 10 kg N hi' as split with one irrigation at flower initiation stage. T 9 = 15 kg N ha4 as basal and 15 kg N hi' as split with one irrigation at flower initiation stage and T 10 = 20 kg N ha1 as basal and 20 kg N hi' as split with one irrigation at flower initiation stage. Irrespective of treatment differences the lentil plant as a pulse crop showed a lag phase in early growth stage (up to 25 DAS) produced growth parameters like number of leaves, leaf dry weight and stein dry weight per plant. Application of 20 kg N ha" as basal with 20 kg N hi' as split application with one irrigation at flower initiation stage (55 DAS) of lentil improved the growth parameters significantly. Maximum dry matter eventually supported the plant to produce more number of branches and pods per plant, which resulted in maximum seed yield per heetare. A functional positive relationship was observed among number of branches per plant, pods per plant, seeds per pod and seed yield.