Effect of bio-organic and mineral nitrogen starter dose on growth and production of groundnuts (arachis hypogaea l.)‎ In Malakal area

Abstract EN

Field experiments were conducted for two rainfed seasons (2006 and 2007) and one irrigated (2008) season.

The objective was to study the effect of farmyard manure (M), water hyacinth (WH) compost at 15 t ha-1 each, and Rhizobium (R) seed inoculation coupled with nitrogen (N) at 20 kg N ha-1 (starter dose) on growth and yield of groundnuts.

The results showed that either organic manure alone or with Rhizobium inoculation plus 20 kg N ha-1 significantly increased groundnuts nodulation and early pod formation over the control.

Nitrogen at the rate of 20 kg N ha-1 with inoculation with rhizobia coupled with either manures resulted in a significant increment in shoot and root dry weights compared to the control.

These treatments also influenced groundnuts shoot N and P accumulation, and resulted in significantly highest pod and straw yields over all other treatments under irrigated and rainfed conditions.

The mean pod and straw yields of the farmyard manure and water hyacinth compost with inoculation and 20 kg N ha-1 treatments and the control were 4.5, 2.2 t ha-1 pod and 6.2, 3.2 t ha-1 straw irrespective of the seasons and manures.

KEYWORDS: Organic Manure, Nitrogen starter dose, Rhizobium seed Inoculation, Malakal.