Study Design: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consist of seven nutrient levels viz., T₁: 75% RDF + 25% (N) Vermicompost (1250 kg/ha), T₂: Vermicompost (10 t/ha) + Rhizobium (15 g/kg seed) + PSB 75% RDF + 25% (N) FYM (2000 kg/ha) + Bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium+PSB), T₃: 75% RDF + 25% (N) Vermicompost (1250 kg/ha) + Bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium+PSB), T₄: 75% RDF + 12.5% (N) FYM (1000 kg/ha) + 12.5% (N) Vermicompost (625 kg/ha) + Bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium+PSB), T₅: 100% RDF (Chemical fertilizer), T₆: 100% RDF (N) Organic Matter (8000 kg/ha FYM), T₇: Absolute control and Swarna Priya variety was taken.

Place and duration of study: The experiment was carried out in the Experimental farm of Department of Horticulture, Ranchi Agriculture College, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi during rabi season 2018-19.

Methodology: Biofertilizer viz. Rhizobium and PSB (Phosphorus Solubilising Bacteria) cultures were applied as seed treatment. Well decomposed vermicompost was incorporated in soil and mixed thoroughly as basal dose. Full dose of phosphorus, potash and ½ dose of nitrogen were applied as basal dose and ½ dose of nitrogen was applied as split one month after sowing. The source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash were urea, DAP and MOP, respectively. Sowing of healthy seed was done at a spacing of 40 cm × 10 cm. Recommended agronomic and plant protection practices were followed for raising healthy crop.

Results: The findings revealed significant effect of nutrient levels on vegetative traits of French bean. Among the different treatments, T₃ (75% RDF + 25% (N) Vermicompost (1250 kg/ha) + Bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium+PSB)) recorded highest plant height of 35.73cm, highest number of leaves (35.2), maximum leaf area of 143.2 cm² and maximum number of primary branches (14.9) at harvest. However highest germination percentage was observed in T₅ (100% RDF (Chemical fertilizer)) i.e. 92.67 percent. First flowering was earliest (36 DAS) in T₃ followed by and days to 50 percent flowering was earliest (42.33 DAS) in T₁ (75% RDF + 25% (N) Vermicompost (1250 kg/ha)). Days to harvest was seen earliest (65.5 DAS) in T₃ and last in T₇ (73.39 DAS).

Conclusion: Among different treatments, T₃ (75% RDF + 25% (N) Vermicompost (1250 kg/ha) + Bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium+PSB) resulted in superior vegetative traits. Though, it was late in days to 50 percent flowering and also it had lower percent of germination compared to T₅.