Influence of three varieties on growth and yield of Blackgram

The field experiment was carried out during the kharif (March to June) 2015 at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. The objective was to identify the most productive variety and appropriate spacing combination suited to local agroecological conditions. Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.), a vital pulse crop in Bangladesh, offered a protein-rich dietary source and supported sustainable agriculture through nitrogen fixation. However, its yield remained below potential due to low-performing varieties and suboptimal agronomic practices. This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of three blackgram varieties under the System of Crop Intensification (SCI). The experiment employed a split-plot design with three replications, testing three varieties-Munshigonj Local, BARI Mash-2, and BARI Mash-3-under different spacing treatments. Results showed that variety significantly influenced all growth and yield parameters. BARI Mash-2 exhibited superior performance with the highest number of pods plant-1 (66.87), 1000-seed weight (40.31 g), seed yield (1.38 t ha⁻¹), and harvest index (45.17%). Munshigonj Local showed greater vegetative growth but lower yield attributes. The study concluded that BARI Mash-2 was the most promising variety for higher productivity under SCI in the kharif season. These findings highlighted the importance of varietal selection and crop management in enhancing pulse production and contributing to national food security.