Effect of Different Types of Fertilizers on the Flowering of Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an economically and nutritionally important leguminous crop widely cultivated for its seeds, which are valued for their culinary, medicinal, and nutraceutical applications. Given its reliance on successful flowering for optimal seed development, enhancing the flowering characteristics of fenugreek is a key objective in agronomic management. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different fertilizer types—namely, organic (farmyard manure, FYM), inorganic (chemical fertilizers supplying NPK), and biofertilizers (a combination of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, PSB)—on the flowering behavior of fenugreek grown under open-field conditions.A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments and three replications was employed to ensure robust statistical analysis and minimize experimental variability. The four treatments included: T1 (Control), T2 (Organic fertilizer), T3 (Inorganic fertilizer), and T4 (Biofertilizer). Observations were recorded for key flowering parameters including days to first flowering, average number of flowers per plant, and flower longevity.The results demonstrated that application of organic fertilizer (T2) significantly accelerated the onset of flowering compared to the control and other treatments, indicating its efficacy in enhancing early plant development and hormonal regulation. Inorganic fertilizer (T3) produced the highest number of flowers per plant, reflecting its role in supplying readily available macro-nutrients that stimulate reproductive growth. Meanwhile, biofertilizer treatment (T4) led to the longest flower longevity and improved plant vigor, likely due to enhanced microbial activity and nutrient uptake efficiency.Collectively, the study indicates that the integrated use of these fertilizers can synergistically improve various aspects of flowering in fenugreek. A combined nutrient management approach not only supports early and profuse flowering but also prolongs the reproductive phase, which is crucial for maximizing seed yield and quality. These findings highlight the potential of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) strategies for sustainable and high-efficiency fenugreek cultivation.