Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation and Organic Manures on Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Malakal, Sudan*

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for two rainfed seasons
(2006 and 2007) and one irrigated season (2008) at the Agricultural Farm
of the Upper Nile University in Malakal (Sudan). The objective of the
experiments was to study the effect of each of farmyard manure, water
hyacinth compost, Rhizobium seed inoculation and in dual combinations
on groundnut symbiotic performance and growth and yield under both
rainfed and irrigation systems. The organic fertilizers were applied at the
rate of 15 t ha-1 each. The results showed that each organic manure alone
significantly increased shoot dry weight, number of nodules plant -1 and
pod and hay yields than the control in both rainfed and irrigation systems.
Rhizobium seed inoculation with either manure significantly increased
plant shoot and plant root dry weights, plant nodulation, early pod
formation, absorption of plant N and plant P compared to the control.
Moreover, these treatments significantly increased groundnut pod and
hay yields over that of the control.