Author(s): H. KALITA, R. CHAKRABARTY, A.S.N. ZAMAN, N. DEKA AND B. GUHA

Abstract: A field trial was conducted at RARS,rnShillongani, Nagaon to study the effect of varying doses of nitrogen,rnvermicompost and zinc sulphate on Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) during Rabirn2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. rnApplication of vermicompost @ 1 t ha^-1resultedrnin better crop growth and significantly higher grain yield (1166.83 kg ha^-1)  as compared to that under control (935.22 kgrnha^-1) . This might bernattributed to better physical conditions for root growth, nutrient availabilityrnand soil microbial build up due to vermicompost application. So far as nitrogenrndoses were concerned, the crop responded well up to 90 kg ha^-1.rnThere was no significant variations in grain yield owing to application of 90rnkg N ha^-1 (1347.82 kg ha^-1)  and rn120 kg N ha^-1 (1454.03 kg ha^-1) .rnThese two treatments were significantly superior to lower doses of N. The interactionrnof 1 t vermicompost ha^-1 and 90 kg N ha^-1recordedrnthe grain yield of 1494.44 kg ha^-1.rnVermicompost 1 t ha^-1and N 90 kg ha^-1recordedrnthe benefit-cost ratio of 1.63 and 2.34, respectively. Though zinc sulphate @20rnkg ha^-1 (1085.07 kg ha^-1)  increased the grain yield significantly overrncontrol (1016.98 kg ha^-1) , it failed to showrneconomic advantage. Application of vermicompost along with 30 kg N ha^-1resultedrnin higher microbial population of fungi (35.2 x 10⁴rncfu g^-1 soil) and bacteria (40.6 xrn10⁷ cfu g^-1rnsoil).

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