Effect of various organic sources on soil microbial count and groundnut yield

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the dryland farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati during kharif, 2015 to study the response of groundnut to various organic sources viz., farm yard manure, poultry manure, sheep manure and neem cake along with recommended NPK through fertilizers. Application of recommended dose of nutrients through fertilizers (20-40-50 kg N, P2O5, & K2O ha-1) resulted in the highest yield of groundnut. Among the various organic sources tested, supply of 100% N through FYM recorded significantly higher yield, which was in parity with 50% N through FYM + 50% N through sheep manure. Application 100% N through poultry manure recorded higher soil microbial population i.e bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, which was however on par with 100 % N through farm yard manure, 50% N through FYM + 50% N through poultry manure and 100 % N through sheep manure.