Yield and economics response of two cultivars of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) to different potassium levels

Abstract (in English)

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the Agriculture Faculty, Kandahar University, during May–August, 2019 to assess the yield and economics of two Mungbean genotypes under semi-arid conditions in Kandahar. The experiment was laid out in complete randomized block design with three replications and consisted of five treatments of potassium fertilizer levels (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80) K₂O kg ha^-1 on two Mungbean genotypes (viz., NM-94 and ‘Kunduzy’). The result indicate that significant higher grain yield (1,438.2 kg ha^-1), stover yield (3,208.7 kg ha^-1), biological yield (4,646.8 kg ha^-1), Gross returns (116,717.3 AFN ha^-1), Net returns (85,642.3 AFN ha^-1), and B:C ratio (3.72) were recorded for NM-94. Application of 80 kg K₂O ha^-1 significantly higher yield such as grain yield (1,813.0 kg ha^-1), stover yield (3,250.0 kg ha^-1) and biological yield (5,063.0 kg ha^-1) were recorded and Significantly higher value of economic parameters gross returns (143,160.0 AFN ha^-1), net returns (106,085.0 AFN ha^-1) and B:C ratio (3.86%) were recorded with 80 kg K₂O ha^-1. Furthermore, K₂O application at the rate of 80 kg ha^-1 increased grain yield, Stover yield, and biological yield at 107.0, 22.7, and 43.6% compared to control plots, respectively. Overall, NM-94 is the most suitable variety and application of 80 kg K₂O ha^-1 in order to achieve optimum yields, profitability, and resource-use efficiency under the semi-arid conditions of Kandahar, Afghanistan.