Effect of Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) along with Pseudomonas on growth and yield of rabi groundnut

Introduction

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most important among edible oilseed crops in the world and belongs to Leguminaceae (Fabaceae) family. In India, 24.4 per cent of yasangi season groundnut is cultivated in Telangana state and lion share of area and production are contributed from Southern Telangana zone and little from Central Telangana zone (PJTAU, 2023). Although legumes can fix their own nitrogen, they often need phosphorus, calcium and other nutrients for good seed formation. Phosphorus (P) is the second most important nutrient which favours healthy growth and development of roots and promotes rhizobial activity resulting in increased nodulation and nitrogen fixation (Moharana et al., 2015; Jangir et al., 2016) [4,7] . In Indians soils only 16-18% of soil phosphorus is readily available and 80% of soils requires phosphorus application at recommended rates (Motsara, 2002) [8] . Proper phosphorus management enhances root biomass, nodulation and pod yield of groundnut. Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) is effective alternative to water soluble phosphorus fertilizers, regardless of soil type (Sekhar et al., 2012) [10] . PROM is a value added product produced by composting different organic waste with high-grade (32% P 2 O 5 ) rock phosphate in very fine size (80% finer than 54 microns) (Aechra et al., 2021) [1] . PROM contains significant amounts of phosphorus (9-10% P 2 O 5 ), carbon-to-nitrogen (C: N) ratio less than 15:1 and a pH of 7.0-7.5 which makes it essential for plant growth, especially early development, root growth and considered as more environment friendly than synthetic fertilizers (Udawat, 2023) [12] . Phosphorus solubilizing strains of the genus Pseudomonas (notably P. fluorescens) has the ability to improve the availability of nutrients like Ca, Zn, Mo, Cu etc (Jat and Ahlawat, 2008) [5] . Integrating organic P sources like PROM with microbial inoculants such as phosphate solubilizing Pseudomonas offers theoretical and practical advantages like higher microbial activity, enhance the solubilization and mobilization of the P contained in PROM, thereby improving available P and crop uptake.

Materials and Methods

The field experiment was carried out at College farm, Agricultural college, Aswaraopet during rabi, 2024-2025. Experimental farm lies between 19 0 47' N latitude and 74 0 18' E longitude with 435 m elevation above mean sea level. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture and nearly neutral in reaction (pH 7.65), low in organic carbon (0.47%), low in available nitrogen (218.53 kg ha -1 ), low in available phosphorus (10.58 kg ha -1 ) and medium in potassium status (208.52 kg ha -1 ). Experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and nine treatments. The treatments includes T 1: Absolute control, T 2: 100% RDF, T 3: 50% RDP substituted through PROM, T 4: 75% RDP substituted through PROM, T 5: 100% RDP substituted through PROM, T 6: T 3 + Pseudomonas florescence soil application @ 7.5 kg ha -1 , T 7: T 4 + Pseudomonas florescence soil application @ 7.5 kg ha - 1 , T 8: T 5 + Pseudomonas florescence soil application @ 7.5 kg ha -1 , T 9: T 2 + Pseudomonas florescence soil application @ 7.5 kg ha -1 . Groundnut (variety K6) was sown with spacing of 22.5 cm x 10 cm. Recommended dose of fertilizer was 20:40:50 N:P 2 O 5 :K 2 O kg ha -1 was applied through urea, single super phosphate and murate of potash according to treatments. Phosphorus rich compost (PROM) and Pseudomonas florescence was applied and thoroughly mixed in soil before sowing as basal application as per treatment. Biometric observations during the crop growth period were recorded periodically on the selected plants. Plant height, leaf area, drymatter production and yield were recorded at harvest stage. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using online statistical analysis package (OPSTAT) at 5% level of significance (p=0.05).

Results and Discussion

Growth parameters PROM along with Pseudomonas significantly influenced the growth attributes of rabi groundnut (Table 1). Among the treatments, significantly taller plants (30.6 cm), wider leaf area (1156.8 cm 2 plant -1 ) and higher drymatter production (6847 kg ha -1 ) was recorded with application of 75% RDP substituted through PROM + Pseudomonas fluorescens soil application @ 7.5 kg ha -1 (T 7 ), it was statistically on par with 100% RDF + Pseudomonas fluorescens soil application @7.5 kg ha -1 and 100% RDF. These were followed by 75% RDP substituted through PROM (T 4 ), 50% RDP substituted through PROM + Pseudomonas fluorescens soil application @7.5 kg ha -1 (T 6 ), 50% RDP substituted through PROM (T 3 ) being on par with other. 100% RDP substitution through PROM+ Pseudomonas fluorescens soil application @ 7.5 kg ha -1 and sole 100% RDP substitution through PROM registered lower growth attributes among nutrient application treatments whereas the shorter plants (17.4 cm), lower leaf area (525.2 cm 2 plant -1 ) and drymatter production (3833 kg ha -1 ) was observed in the absolute control (T 1 ). Integrating 75% RDP through PROM + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 7.5 kg ha -1 effectively enhanced nutrient availability, particularly phosphorus, improved root growth which might have resulted taller plants, leaf expansion and improved drymatter production. These results were consistent with the findings Singh et al. (2014) [11] , Ramakrishna et al. (2015) [9] , Khangarot et al. (2022) [6] , Yadav et al. (2024) and Bachate et al. (2024) [3] .

Pod yield

The pod yield of rabi groundnut were markedly influenced by PROM with Pseudomonas application (Table 1). Among the treatments, 75% RDP substituted through PROM + Pseudomonas fluorescens soil application @ 7.5 kg ha -1 recorded the higher pod yield (2977 kg ha -1 ). This treatment was statistically comparable with 100% RDF + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 7.5 kg ha -1 (2910 kg ha -1 ) and 100% RDF (2875 kg ha -1 ). Followed by 75% RDP substituted through PROM (T 4 ), 50% RDP substituted through PROM + Pseudomonas fluorescens soil application @7.5 kg ha -1 (T 6 ), 50% RDP substituted through PROM (T 3 ) recorded moderate pod yield being on par with other. Application of full phosphorus through PROM (T 7 ) and 100% RDP through PROM + Pseudomonas fluorescens (T 8 ) recorded lower pod yield (2006, 2260 kg ha -1 ) of rabi groundnut among nutrient management treatments. While untreated control treatment registered significantly lower pod yield (1691 kg ha -1 ) due to insufficient nutrient supply to crop. Combined application of 75% RDP substituted through PROM + Pseudomonas fluorescens contributed to greater assimilate production, which in turn translated into higher reproductive yield. Aechra et al. (2017) [1] , Wahane et al. (2022) [13] , Arslan et al. (2024) and Bachate et al. (2024) [3] reported similar results with PROM and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria integration.

Conclusion

The results emphasized that application of 75% RDP substituted through PROM + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 7.5 kg ha -1 proved to be the most effective treatment, recording maximum plant height, leaf area, dry matter production and pod yield. This treatment was statistically comparable with full recommended fertilizer dose (100% RDF) and 100% RDF + Pseudomonas fluorescens, indicating that a substantial portion of chemical phosphorus can be successfully replaced by PROM when combined with an efficient P solubilizing bacterium (Pseudomonas fluorescens).

References

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