Integration of Peach (Prunus persica L.) Residues, Beneficial Microbes and Phosphorous Enhance Phenology, Growth and Yield of Soybean
Imran, Amanullah, Muhammad Arif, Zahir Shah, Abdul Bari
Abstract
Two years consecutive field experiments were conducted at Agriculture Research Institute Mingora Swat, Pakistan in summer seasons of 2016 (year 1) and 2017 (year two) on soybean (cv. Malakand-96) crop. The design was used randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Experimental treatments were used, peach residues (leaves and fruits having no stones (partially decomposed), its well decomposed compost comprised of leaves and fruits having no stones and its biochar (peach tree stem, with peach stones, leaves and twigs), three phosphorus (P) levels and two beneficial microbes PSB and Trichoderma. Results revealed that peach organic sources and soil application of Trichoderma and phosphorous enhanced soybean phenology and yield. Days to emergence and emergence m–2 was non-significantly affected by P levels, organic sources and beneficial microbes, although number of branches and number of leaves plant–1 responded positively to organic sources, P levels and beneficial microbes application. Soybean seed yield was increased with organic sources, phosphorous levels and beneficial microbe’s inoculation. Highest seed yield was produced with compost amendments having at par valued with biochar, while P at the rate of 75 and 100 kg ha–1 produced at par value seed yield. Among beneficial microbes, soil applied Trichoderma was far better than seed inoculation with PSB. Regression analysis was carried for all the treatments and concluded that soybean seed yield increased with rest plots as compared to control.