Effect of application of manures and bio-fertilizers on yield, soil fertility and economics of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under middle Gujarat conditions

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Farm. B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand to study the “Effect of application of manures and bio-fertilizers on yield, soil fertility and economics of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under middle Gujarat conditions.” during kharif season of 2008. The soil of experimental plot was loamy sand in texture. It was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, while high in available phosphorus and potash with pH 7.8 and EC value 0.14 dSm-1. The experiment comprising twelve-treatment combinations was laid out in factorial randomized block design with four replications. The treatment consisted of combinations of three type of manures viz., recommended dose of 12.5 kg N/ha + 25 kg P2O5/ha (M1), vermicompost @1000 kg/ha (M2) and poultry manure @ 500 kg/ha (M3) and four type of bio-fertilizers (seed inoculation) viz., no bio-fertilizers (B1), Rhizobium (B2), VAM (B3) and PSB (B4). The results of experiment revealed that the groundnut crop fertilized with manures showed marked increase in pod yield (2.6 t/ha) and haulm yield (4.7 t/ha) were obtained under application of RDF (12.5 kg N/ha + 25 kg P2O5/ha) and was significantly superior over poultry manure @ 500 kg/ha and vermicompost @1000 kg/ha. This type of manures has also recorded the maximum net realization of Rs 54542/ha with 4.16 benefit cost ratio emerged as optimum and the most economical for groundnut. The results indicated that the groundnut crop fertilized with bio-fertilizers significantly higher pod yield (2.7 t/ha) and haulm yield (5.0 t/ha) was registered under seed inoculation with Rhizobium which was statistically at par with PSB (Seed inoculation) B4. The seed inoculation with Rhizobium has also recorded the maximum net returns of Rs 56576/ha with 4.17 BCR.