Application of an organic halophytic manure on yield characteristics of <i>Arachis hypogaea</i> Linn.

Abstract

As an alternative to chemical fertilizer, biocompost has been identified to increase the yield characteristics of Arachis hypogaea Linn. for sustainable agriculture. The objective of this field study was to evaluate the effect of three different types of halophytic composts in combination with farmyard manure (FYM) and phosphate solubilising bacteria (Bacillus megaterium) on yield characteristics such as number of pods per plant, fresh pod weight, dry pod weight , pod yield, haulm yield, shelling percentage and hundred kernel weight. From the results it was is observed that among nine treatments given, the application of Suaeda compost in combination with FYM and phosphate solubilising bacteria (T9) significantly increased the yield characteristics in Arachis hypogaea cultivated in coastal saline soil. The resulting halophytic compost improves the quality and fertility of the saline soil.

Keywords: Arachis hypogaea,compost,dry weight, haulm yield, phosphate solubilising bactetria