IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2015) 6-1

Research article
erd

Pre-Rice or Post-Rice Mungbean Productivity with
Chemical and Bio-Compost Fertilizer under RainfedConditions
ANAN POLTHANEE*
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Email: panan@kku.ac.th

ARUNEE PROMKHAMBUT
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

JAWAPA MANAONOK
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

RANGRONG TABOONMUANG
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Received 16 December 2014

Accepted 31 May 2015(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of chemical and biocompost fertilizer application on growth and yield of mungbean when grown as pre-or postrice under rainfed conditions, as well as economic return of growing mungbean. A
randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used, with four fertilizer application
treatments; soil applied as basal NPK, folia applied chelate EDTA compound, folia appliedbio-compost and control. The results showed that soil applied NPK produced the maximum
seed yield when mungbean grown as pre-or post-rice crop. In economic return, soil applied
as basal NPK provided the maximum net benefit (565US $/ha) when mungbean grown as
pre-rice crop. While, folia applied bio-compost gave the highest net benefit (295US $/ha)mungbean grown as post-rice crop.
Keywords mungbean, chemical fertilizer, bio-compost fertilizer, chelate EDTA compound,rice-based cropping systems

INTRODUCTION
Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is an excellent source of high quality protein (25%). It has also
proved to be an ideal crop for pre-rice or post-rice crop in early and late rainy season with the shortmaturing, legume crop (Choudrary et al., 2011). Northeast Thailand is generally considered to haverice fields with particularly infertile soils with coarse texture (Wade et al., 1999). Mungbean is ahigh responsive to nutrients (Choudrary et al., 2011). Hence, nutrients requirement of mungbean
can be met by supplying nutrients through chemical fertilizers, organic manures and bio-fertilizers
with different application methods such as application to soil, seed priming and foliar application.
Numerous studies have shown the usefulness of spraying micronutrients on grain crops(Schnappinger et al., 1969; Agrawal, 1992; Modaihsh, 1997). However the information on use ofbio-compost to improve productivity of mungbean is neglected. The objective of this research was
to investigate the effect of chemical and bio-compost fertilizer application on growth and yield ofmungbean when grown as pre-rice or post-rice crop under rainfed conditions.
METHODOLOGY
Field experiments were conducted during May to July 2014 for pre-rice mungbean and December
2013 to March 2014 for post-rice mungbean. Rainfed lowland rice in Northeast Thailand isⒸ ISERD138

IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2015) 6-1

commonly sloping land, which determines groups of paddy land type, upper, medium and lowerfields. Pre-rice mungbean crop grown in the upper field, while post-rice mungbean crop grown in
the lower field. Since, the upper fields have a low chance of encountering to waterlogging
condition with rainfall intensity during the early wet season. For the lower fields, stored soil waterat the end of wet season may be sufficient for a quick maturing legume crops. The soil was sandyin texture of upper fields with pH (5.05), total N (0.025%), available P (7.02 mg/kg), exchangeable
K (16.78 mg/kg) and organic matter (0.544%). For lower fields, soil was sandy loam in texture withpH (5.55), total N (0.022%), available P (6.81 mg/kg), exchangeable K (52.44 mg/kg) and organicmatter (0.234%). Bulk density value average at 0-15 cm soil depth was about 1.61 and 1.45 g/cm3
for pre and post-rice mungbean plots at planting, respectively.
The treatments consist of four fertilizer application; soil applied as basal NPK of fertilizer
grade 15-15-15 (N - P2O5 – K2O) at rate of 156 kg/ha, folia applied chelate EDTA compound at rateof 2 gm/liter of water, folia applied bio-compost (producing from pig placenta) at rate of 10 cc/literof water. Bio-compost were analyzed for total N 3.8%, total P 0.15% and total K 0.78%. Soil
applied as basal dose just before seed sowing. Folia Chelate EDTA (micronutrients) and biocompost were sprayed to the crop at 15, 30 and 45 days after planting (DAP). Zero-tillage waspracticed for post-rice mungbean and conventional tillage was used for pre-rice mungbean. Themungbean cultivar Chainat 72 was seeded in December 17, 2013 and May 15, 2014 with spacing
50 cm × 20 cm between row and plant. The mungbean crops were thinned to two plants per hill at
10 DAP. Weed control was done by hand once at 15 DAP in pre-or post-rice mungbean crop. No
pesticide was used in pre-rice mungbean crop.
Data on top dry weight (stem + leaf) were recorded by drying samples in an oven at 60 °C for
72 h. The pods number per plant, seeds number per pod, 100 seeds weight and seed yield weremeasured at harvest. The nutrient concentration of mungbean leaf was determined for N, P and K atflowering in pre-rice mungbean crop. The nutrient uptake was calculated by leaf dry weight (kg/ha)
x concentration (%) and divided by 100 for N, P and K uptake.
Soil moisture content was determined by gravimetric measurements at 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45
cm depth. Field capacity (FC) and Permanent Wilting Point (PWP) were estimated with pressure
plate equipment. The crop received rainfall about 26 mm in December 2013 at 5 DAP. Later,
rainfall did not occur in the entire the growing period when mungbean grown as post-rice crop. Soil
moisture content observed which close to PWP at 45 DAP until harvest (Fig.1). The minimum airtemperature during the growing period was about 14.5, 13.7 and 19.2°C in December 2013,
January and February 2014, respectively. When mungbean grown as pre-rice, the crop received
rainfall about 257 mm. Soil moisture content was observed in available range (FC and PWP)
throughout the growing period (Fig. 2). The minimum air temperature was recorded about 25.0,
25.8 and 24.7 °C in May, June and July 2014, respectively.
101098

Soil moisture content (%)

Soil moisture content (%)

9Field capacity

765
432
1

Permanent wilting point

01827

Dec

1229Jan

916Feb28

Field capacity

765432

Permanent wilting point

10924MarFig. 1 Soil moisture content (%) at 0-15 cm(xxx), 15-30 cm (--) and 30-45 cm (- - -)depth during the growing period inpost-rice mungbeanⒸ ISERD13930

7152128512MayJune
Fig. 2 Soil
moisture content(%) atJuly
0-15 cm(xxx), 15-30 cm (--) and 30-45 cm (- - -)depth during the growing period inpre-rice mungbean

IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2015) 6-1

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Mungbean at Harvest
Fertilizer application was not significantly affected on pod number per plant, seed number per pod
and 100 seeds weight, but it was significantly difference on top dry weight and seed yield ofmungbean when mungbean grown as pre-rice crop (Table 1). The maximum top dry weight andseed yield were obtained in soil applied NPK treatments.
Fertilizer application had no significant effect on top dry weight and pod number per plant, but
had significant effect on seed number per pod, 100 seeds weight and seed yield of mungbean whengrown as post-rice crop (Table 2). The soil applied NPK treatments produced maximum seednumber per pod, 100 seeds weight and seed yield of mungbean.
Table 1 Growth, yield components and yield of mungbean at harvest as affected by fertilizer
application when grown as pre-rice crop
Treatment

Top dry weight
Pod no. per
Seed no. per1000 seed
per plant (g)plantpodweight (g)Control
11.8 b
9.6
5.7
8.2
Soil applied NPK
19.8 a13.9
7.4
8.5
Folia applied chelate
18.4 a12.4
7.1
8.1
Folia applied bio-compost
16.7 ab
11.5
6.3
8.0
F-test*nsnsns
23.3
24.4
22.4
8.1
CV (%)
NS = Not significant, * Significant at P < 0.05
Mean followed by the same letter at the same column was not significantly difference by LSD.

Seed yield(kg/ha)427.1 c666.9 a571.7 b566.2 b*
11.6

Table 2 Growth, yield components and seed yield of mungbean at harvest as affected byfertilizer application when grown as post-rice crop
Treatment

Top dry weight
Pod no. per
Seed no. per1000 seed
per plant (g)plantpodweight (g)Control
4.4
4.4
5.1 c
8.3 b
Soil applied NPK
5.5
6.1
7.4 a
8.9 a
Folia applied chelate
4.6
5.6
6.7 b
8.6 ab
Folia applied bio-compost
4.6
5.3
6.6 b
8.6 abF-testnsns**CV (%)
13.4
17.2
3.5
36.
NS = Not significant, * Significant at P < 0.05
Mean followed by the same letter at the same column was not significantly difference by LSD.

Seed yield(kg/ha)229.8 c324.7 a276.8 b273.4 b*7.5

Table 3 Nutrient concentration in leaves and nutrient uptake of mungbean at flowering asaffected by fertilizer application when grown as pre-rice crop
Treatment

Concentration (%)
Nutrient uptake (kg/ha)
NPKNPK
Control
4.10
0.322
2.30
36.3 b2.8 b19.3 bSoil applied NPK
5.26
0.361
2.49
86.6 a6.1 a43.8 aFolia applied chelate
4.73
0.335
2.34
66.1 ab
4.6 ab
31.6 abFolia applied bio-compost
4.41
0.336
2.28
46.5 b3.6 b21.5 bF-testnsnsns***CV (%)
13.0
9.9
8.9
25.3
26.1
32.4
NS = Not significant, * Significant at P < 0.05
Mean followed by the same letter at the same column was not significantly difference by LSD.

Nutrient Concentration and Uptake of Mungbean at Flowering
Fertilizer application had no significant effect on N, P and K concentration of mungbean leaves atflowering when grown as pre-rice crop (Table 3). However, soil applied NPK tend to give thehighest N, P and K concentration of mungbean leaves at flowering.
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Fertilizer application was significantly affected on N, P and K uptake of mungbean leaves atflowering (Table 3). The maximum N, P and K uptake were recorded in the soil applied NPK
treatments.
Economic Return of Growing Mungbean
All fertilizer application treatments provided good net income than control treatments. The
maximum net benefit was obtained in soil applied NPK treatments when mungbean grown as prerice crop, while the highest net benefit was observed in folia applied bio-compost treatments whenmungbean grown as post-rice crop (Tables 4 and 5).
Table 4 Yield, gross income, production cost and net income of mungbean when grown as pre–rice crop by different fertilizer application
Treatment

Yield (kg/ha)

Gross income
Production costNet income(US $/ha)(US $/ha)(US $/ha)Control
427.1
533.9
175.8358.1
Soil applied NPK
666.9
833.6
268.6
565.0
Folia applied chelate
566.2
707.8
203.9
503.9
Folia applied bio-compost
571.7
714.6
182.9
531.7
Note : Planting material = mungbean seed 50 baht/kg, NPK 19 baht/kg, chelate EDTA compound 400 baht/kg and biocompost 20 baht/liter; Market price of mungbean seed 40 baht/kg; 1 US $ = 32 Thai baht; Production cost = Material
cost + land preparation for mungbean growing; Household labor is considered as farming labor

Table 5 Yield, gross income, production cost and net income of mungbean when grown aspost –rice crop by different fertilizer application
Treatment

Yield (kg/ha)

Gross income
Production cost
Net income(US $/ha)(US $/ha)(US $/ha)Control
229.8
287.3
39.1
248.2
Soil applied NPK
324.7
405.9
131.9
274.0
Folia applied chelate
276.8
346.0
67.2
278.8
Folia applied bio-compost
273.4
341.8
46.2
295.6
Note : Planting material = mungbean seed 50 baht/kg, NPK 19 baht/kg, chelate EDTA compound 400 baht/kg and biocompost 20 baht/liter; Market price of mungbean seed 40 baht/kg; 1 US $ = 32 Thai baht; Production cost = Material
cost + land preparation for mungbean growing; Household labor is considered as farming labor

In pre-rice mungbean, soil applied NPK produced the maximum seed yield. However, allfertilizer application treatments gave higher seed yield than the control treatments. The soil applied
NPK produced the maximum seed yield due to better plant development through nutrient uptake,where primary growth elements were available in sufficient amount. The obtained results are inagreement with the findings of Graham and Ascher (1993).
The sufficient N, P and K concentration in leaves of legumes crops at flowering stage wasabout 5.1%, 0.4% and 2%, respectively (Makay and Leefe, 1962). In this study, The N, P and K ofleaves at flowering stage in soil applied NPK treatments were 5.26%, 0.361% and 2.49%,respectively. This indicates that N, P and K in soil provided an adequate amount for mungbean
growth at flowering stage in soil applied NPK treatments.
Folia application of chelate EDTA increased seed yield over control. This agree with research
work by Modaihsh (1997) and Mondal et al. (2011). Similarly, folia spray of bio-compost fertilizer
produced higher seed yield than in control, due to better in plant growth. This agree with study byBuasri et al. (2010).
In post-rice mungbean, soil applied NPK also gave the highest seed yield. However, allfertilizer application treatments produced higher seed yield than the control. This was due tofertilizer application provided better shoot growth and subsequently produced good quality of allyield components. Soil application NPK as well as folia sprays of chelate EDTA and bio-compost
supplemented availability of nutrients to mungbean crop. This agree with many research works byGraham and Ascher (1993); Ali et al. (2008); Modaihsh (1997) and Thalooth et al. (2006).
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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2015) 6-1

Mungbean seed yield in post-rice crop was lower than in pre-rice crop. This was due to postrice mungbean the crop subjected to water stress at pod formation growth stage. This caused thehighest reduction of pods number per plant. Similarly results were also reported by Thalooth et al.
(2006). In addition the mungbean suffered from low temperature (below 15 °C) at seedling growthstage during December 2013 to January 2014. The temperature recorded below 15 °C may
inhibited mungbean seeding growth was reported by DOA (2000).
CONCLUSION
All fertilizer application treatments produced higher seed yield than control. The soil applied asbasal NPK gave the highest seed yield when mungbean grown as pre-rice or post-rice crop.
However, in economic return the soil applied NPK provided the maximum net benefit whenmungbean grown as pre-rice crop. While, folia applied bio-compost gave the highest net benefit
when mungbean grown as post-rice crop. The results of those studies also suggested that mungbean
is suitable to grow as pre-rice rather than post-rice crop.
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