Work

Sustainable nitrogen optimization in mung bean production: evaluating nitrogen-fixing bacteria and nitrogen dosages for yield and soil health

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Inefficient nitrogen use limits sustainable mung bean (Vigna radiata) production, particularly in Vertisol systems with high clay content. Therefore, a two-year (2022–2023) factorial randomized complete block study was conducted on a Typic Haplusterts (clay loam) soil to evaluate three commercial nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers (Katyayani, Reclaimer, Bio & Bio) and four nitrogen rates (0, 30, 60, 90 kg ha−1) using the mung bean variety Swat Mung. Rhizobium inoculation combined with 60 kg N ha−1 significantly increased branch number (22.9%), plant height (15.3%), pods plant−1 (7.1%), seeds pod−1 (24.6%), 1000-seed weight (7.2%), seed protein (15.7%), seed yield (22.2%), and biomass (12.4%) relative to the uninoculated 0 N control. Although 90 kg N ha−1 increased post-harvest soil total N and organic matter, Bio & Bio + 60 kg N ha−1 achieved comparable productivity while producing the highest net return and benefit–cost ratio. Bio & Bio and higher N rates reduced soil pH and bulk density relative to the control. These findings identify 60 kg N ha−1 as an agronomically and economically optimal nitrogen threshold for Swat Mung grown on Typic Haplusterts, demonstrating that integrated biofertilizer use can reduce N input by approximately 33% without compromising yield while improving selected soil health indicators.

Source: Journal of Plant Nutrition

DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2026.2645756