Microbial-Assisted Nutrient Management Improves Productivity and Nutrient Uptake of Lentil under Reduced Fertilizer Application

Lentil (Lens culinaris M.) is a high-protein legume consumed worldwide. Atmospheric nitrogen fixation through root nodules contributes to crop productivity, while phosphate-solubilising bacterial strains improve phosphorus availability and support plant physiological responses. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2021–2022 to evaluate the effects of Rhizobium and PSB inoculation under different recommended doses of nutrients (RDN) on the growth, physiological parameters, yield and nutrient uptake of lentil cv. VL Masoor 103. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with seven treatments and three replications. Growth, chlorophyll content, yield attributes, seed yield, protein content and nutrient uptake were recorded and statistically analysed. Significant differences among treatments were observed in growth, yield and nutrient uptake parameters. Application of 75% RDN with Rhizobium and PSB inoculation recorded the highest plant height (34.97 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (31.19), branches plant-1 (4.93), LAI (3.87), CGR (4.89 g m-2 day-1), seed yield (7.05 q ha-1) and protein content (28.31%). The same treatment also recorded the highest uptake of N (46.70 kg ha-1), P (2.42 kg ha-1) and K (8.98 kg ha-1). However, 100% RDN with PSB inoculation recorded the highest chlorophyll content. The findings indicate that dual inoculation with 75% RDN was associated with favourable growth and yield performance while using 25% less chemical fertiliser than the full recommended dose for VL Massor 103. This integrated approach may be considered for further evaluation in lentil cultivation in the hill agroecosystems of the Western Himalayan region.