Integrated organic nutrient management enhances growth and yield of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the College Farm, the soil was clayey, low in organic carbon (0.40%) and available nitrogen (213.42 kg ha⁻¹), medium in available phosphorus (37.55 kg ha⁻¹), and high in available potassium (318.27 kg ha⁻¹), with slightly alkaline reaction (pH 7.96). N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat. The treatments were laid out in a randomized block design with four replications and repeated at the same site in the successive year without altering the randomization to assess residual effects. The experiment comprised six treatments: T₁ - Control; T₂ - 100% RDF + seed treatment with Rhizobium and PSB; T₃ - 100% RDP through FYM + seed treatment with Rhizobium and PSB; T₄ - 100% RDP through vermicompost + seed treatment with Rhizobium and PSB; T₅ - 50% RDP through FYM + 50% RDP through vermicompost + seed treatment with Rhizobium and PSB; and T₆ - 75% RDP through FYM + 25% RDP through vermicompost + seed treatment with Rhizobium and PSB. Pooled analysis of data from both years showed that the integrated application of organic phosphorus sources with biofertilizers significantly enhanced the growth parameters of summer groundnut. Treatment T₅ (50% RDP through FYM + 50% RDP through vermicompost along with seed treatment with Rhizobium and PSB) was recorded the highest number of root nodules per plant at 60 DAS (71.25, 75.62 and 73.44), 90 DAS (62.53, 67.25 and 64.89), and at harvest (38.25, 42.52 and 40.39) during 2022, 2023, and in the pooled analysis, respectively. Similarly, highest dry matter accumulation was recorded with application of T₅ (50% RDP through FYM + 50% RDP through vermicompost + seed treatment with Rhizobium and PSB) at 60 DAS (76.04, 79.96 and 78.00), 90 DAS (154.09, 161.96 and 158.02), and at harvest (181.47, 190.57 and 186.02) in 2022, 2023, and pooled analysis, respectively. With respect to yield parameters, treatment T₅ produced highest pod yield (4004, 4181 and 4092 kg ha⁻¹), haulm yield (10551, 10458 and 10505 kg ha⁻¹), and total biomass yield (14555, 14639 and 14597 kg ha⁻¹) during 2022, 2023, and in the pooled analysis, respectively. The highest pod yield, haulm yield, and total biomass yield recorded under T₅ can be ascribed to improved source-sink relationship due to enhanced vegetative growth, efficient translocation of photosynthates, and better peg formation and pod development. Overall, the integrated use of FYM and vermicompost in combination with biofertilizers resulted in improved growth, higher biomass production, and superior yield of summer groundnut compared to other treatments.