Field Application Study using Vermicompost, Rhizobium and Farm Yard Manure as Soil Supplements to Enhance Growth, Yield and Quality of Glycine max

Abstract

Improving soil fertility for sustainable agriculture and crop production has received popular attention. The need to avoid food shortages for the growing population and achieve sustainable development goals is the first priority of researchers. To meet this challenge, importance is now being placed on the incorporation of organic manures for the rejuvenation of soil health and increased productivity in agriculture. The use of vermicompost, biofertilizers, and natural manures helps to enhance the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Vermicomposting is a biotechnological process that can be used to produce high-quality manure for successful agricultural production. A field application study was conducted using vermicompost, Rhizobium -a biofertilizer, and farm yard manure (FYM) to determine soil physico-chemical and biological properties, growth parameters, nodulation, and yield of soybean (Glycine max) in south Tamil Nadu, India. The selection of the crop and manure is of prime importance because of the enhancement of soil productivity in terms of nitrogen availability and the increased presence of micronutrients in the soil. Soybean have rich protein source, and their nodulation fixes nitrogen to improve the soil's fertility. The organic manures support the growth and multiplication of soybean and proliferate the beneficial microbial population in the soil. The present study evidenced all the expected quality parameters and the maximum soybean yield of 1.85 tons per hectare, which was obtained from a vermicompost applied plot when compared to other manure applied plots. The physico-chemical properties and microbial count of the soil were significantly increased during the application of vermicompost and biofertilizer compared to the application of FYM.