Effect of Trichoderma harzianum strains and IRRI BMP on Growth, Nodulation, Yield and Economics of Lentil under Lowland Rainfed Ecology of Bihar

Productivity of lentil in rainfed ecology is very low and crop was infested with different soil and seed born fungal disease. In light of fragment information available on response of seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianumstrains S1 and S3, a field experiment was conducted during winter seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at experimental farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Buxar and farmers field. Among different seed treatment practices coupled with IRRI BMP, Trichodermastrain S3 produced the highest number of pods/plant (59.6) and 100-grain weight (2.60 g) followed by seed treatment with S1+ IRRI BMPand Thiram+IRRIBMP. However, farmers' practice recorded lowest value of all these traits. Highest number of nodules/plant (15.80) and dry matter of nodules, (37.12 mg/plant) were recorded under seed treatment with S3+IRRI BMPfollowed by S1+IRRI BMPand Thiram+IRRI BMPin order. Seed treatment with S3+IRRI BMPrecorded highest root length (25.2 cm), root dry weight (0.90 g/plant) and seed yield (13.33 q/ha) followed by seed treatment with S1+IRRI BMPand Thiram+IRRI BMPin order. However, farmers' practice recorded minimum value of these traits. Economic analysis of data showed that maximum net return (Rs 23489/ha) and cost-benefit ratio (2.42) was recorded under seed treatment with strain S3+IRRI BMPfollowed by seed treatment with S1+IRRI BMPand Thiram+IRRI BMP. However, minimum economic return was recorded with farmers' practice