Effect of soil amendment using Sphagnum moss on the growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Soil amendment using organic fertilisers is necessary to improve crop yield and nutritional quality. Sphagnum moss (peat moss) has long been used in agriculture as a soil supplement to improve soil quality and water holding capacity. An outdoor pot experiment was performed with soil amended using Sphagnum moss, organic (farmyard manure and vermicompost) and chemical (NPK) fertilisers together with combinations of moss and fertilisers to study the growth and production of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The control treatment had no soil amendment. Plant growth parameters (root length, shoot length, number of leaves, surface area of leaf, and root nodules), biochemical constituents (chlorophyll, protein, and carbohydrate content), and productivity (number of pods and oil content) of A. hypogaea were observed. Moss treatment alone and in combination with organic and chemical fertilisers significantly improved plant growth and biochemical profiling during the early phase of the experiment. However, after 90 days of sowing no significant difference was found in root length, shoot length, and leaf area. Use of moss along with vermicomposting gave a significant improvement in number of leaves, root nodules, and pod number. During the early growth phase, total chlorophyll content was significantly increased in treatments with organic, chemical fertilisers and the combined treatments with moss. Protein and carbohydrate content in leaves was significantly improved in the combined treatments of moss with organic and chemical fertilisers. Oil content in seeds improved after the treatment of organic fertilisers and their combined treatment with moss. The results of present investigation demonstrated that there is improvement compared to the control in growth, production, and nutritional quality of A. hypogaea after soil amendment using Sphagnum moss.