Potential of Organic Manures for Enhancing Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) Production in Pothohar Climatic Condition

Abstract

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers is common for higher production of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.). Chemical fertilizers are costly andhave adverse effect on soil environment. Keeping in view avoidingthe side effects of chemical fertilizers, an experiment was carried out for evaluating the different organic manures to select potential organic manure for better groundnut production during 2018-19 at Groundnut Research Station Attock. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications, fivetreatments consisted of different organic and inorganic fertilizers i.e. T1 (FYM @7.5t/ha), T2 (PM @05t/ha), T3 (NPK @30:80:30 kg/ha), T4 (Vermicompost@ 2.5t/ha) and T5 control (zero fertilizer). Nutrients use efficiency, quality and yield components were recorded. The study revealed that organic manure can enhance the production and quality of Ground nut for replacing the chemical fertilizer. Poultry manure @ 05t/ha significantly produced higher yield (4203 kg/ha), shelling% (71%), 100 seed weight (72.66 g), plant height (31.66 cm), pods/plant(58.00), oil content (42.86%), protein(28.60%) during both the years over rest of treatments. Similarly FYM and vermicompost had better results than the NPK. Therefore it is recommended that poultry manure @05t/ha can improve groundnut yield under pothohar conditions of Pakistan.