Integrated use of Phosphorus and Organic Matter Improve Fodder Yield of Moth Bean (Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) under Irrigated and Dryland Conditions of Pakistan

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of phosphorus (30, 45 and 60 kg P ha-1) and organic matter (canola straw, berseem straw and farmyard manure) on growth and fodder yield of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia Jacq.) under irrigated and dryland conditions. The experiment was conducted under two field conditions viz. (i) with irrigation and (ii) without irrigation (dryland). The experiment under each field condition was laid out in a randomized complete block design having three replications. The results revealed that P and organic matter treated plots (rest) under both irrigated and dryland conditions had better growth and produced higher fresh and dry fodder yields over control (no P and no organic matter applied). Moth bean planted under irrigated condition (no moisture stress) had improved growth, and produced higher fresh and dry fodder yields over dryland condition. Increasing the rate of P increased growth, fresh and dry fodder yields (60 kg P ha-1 > 45 kg P ha-1 > 30 kg P ha-1). Increase in growth, fresh and dry yields was obtained with the application of farmyard manure over plant residues incorporation. We concluded from this study that application of P at the highest rate of 60 kg P ha-1 along with farmyard manure (5 t ha-1) as source of OM improve growth and fodder yield of moth bean under irrigated and dryland conditions under semiarid climates