Seed inoculation with Rhizobium and integrated nutrient management influences the productivity of groundnut and their residual impact on finger millet

Sole application of chemical fertilizers for crop raising has shown a harmful effect on the environment. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is a better option that meets the crop demand as well as improves the soil quality and the residual soil nutrient for the succeeding crop. Based on the preceding rationale, a two-year factorial randomized block design (FRBD with three replications was conducted to evaluate the impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the growth, yield, and nutrient acquisition of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), as well as its subsequent residual effects on finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.). The experimental design incorporated two factors: seed inoculation with biofertilizers and nutrient management practices. The seed inoculation factor comprised two levels: S1 (solid carrier-based Rhizobium) and S2 (liquid carrier-based Rhizobium). The nutrient management factor consisted of five levels: N1 (100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) supplied via urea), N2 (75% RDN from urea + 25% RDN from farmyard manure (FYM)), N3 (50% RDN from urea + 50% RDN from FYM), N4 (25% RDN from urea + 75% RDN from FYM), and N5 (100% RDN supplied via FYM). The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) for groundnut was 20:40:20 kg ha− 1 of nitrogen, phosphorus (P2O5) and potassium (K2O). The results showed that seed inoculation did not influence significantly a few growth characters and yield parameters of both groundnut and finger millet, however, seed and grain yield of respective crops and nutrient removal were influenced significantly, and, S1: solid carrier-based Rhizobium noted the highest value. All the growth, yield parameters, yield and nutrient removal by groundnut and finger millet were significantly influence by treatments of nutrient management. The treatment N1: 100% RDN (urea) in groundnut and N5: 100% RDN (FYM) in finger millet indicated significantly the highest growth, productivity and nutrient removal in both years of the experimentation.