Eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilizers for maximizing peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) production under arid regions in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Excessive and unwise use of synthetic fertilizers is a threat to the soil, aerial and human health. In this scenario, eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilizers for maximizing peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) production under arid regions are necessary. Use of biochar and the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) along with reduce doses of synthetic fertilizers has emerged as an eco-friendly way of reducing the dose of synthetic fertilizers for crop production. In this 2-year study, we evaluated the role of PGPRs and biochar with reduce doses of synthetic fertilizers on peanut productivity on a sandy loam soil under an arid climate. The experiment comprised of eight experimental treatments viz. (i) control, (ii) recommended dose of synthetic fertilizer (32-80-32 NPK kg ha−1), (iii) plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR; SR-5), (iv) biochar (10 t ha−1), (v) PGPR + half dose of synthetic fertilizer (i.e., 16-40-16 NPK kg ha−1), (vi) biochar (10 t ha−1) + half dose of synthetic fertilizer, (vii) PGPR + biochar (10 tha−1) and (viii) PGPR + biochar (10 t ha−1) + half dose of synthetic fertilizer. The highest pod yield (1.94 Mg ha−1), seed yield (1110 kg ha−1) and oil contents (52.6%) were recorded when biochar was applied in combination with PGPRs with half dose of synthetic fertilizers which was attributed to a greater number of pods per plant and highest seed weight in this treatment. In crux, biochar application along with PGPRs might be a pragmatic option to boost peanut yield in arid regions with reduce doses of NPK.