The Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation and Harvesting Time on the Quality and Biomass Productivity of Peanut Straw (Arachis hypogea) in Sandy Soil

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the effect of rhizobium inoculant addition and harvesting time on the nutrient quality and biomass productivity of peanut straw (Arachis hypogea) as feed stuff in sandy soil area. The planting was conducted by using twelve polybag filled with sandy soil from Berbah, Sleman, Yogyakarta. The experimental design was 2x2 Factorial design with 3 replications. The two treatment factors were: harvesting time factor (HT), it consisted of harvest at 80 days after planting (HT1) and harvested at 90 days after planting (HT2), the second factor was rhizobium inoculation (R) consisted of not inoculated (R0) and inoculated (R1). The result of the research showed that harvesting time and inoculation were not affecting the vegetative and generative stage of growth. Harvesting time had significant effect (P<0.05) on chemical composition of peanut straw; crude protein 12.45% (HT1) and 11.21 (HT2), crude fiber 21.52% (HT1) and 22.83% (HT2) and ash 11.87% (HT1) and 13.83 (HT2). Rhizobium inoculant addition had effect (on nodulation, value for effective nodule for R0 was 78% and for R1 was 89% (P<0.05). Interaction between harvesting time and rhizobium inoculant addition yielded significant and were not different on dry matter and organic matter production. It could be conclude that inoculant and harvesting time factor had affect on vegetative stage of growth, nutrient quality and nodulation but did not have affect on biomass straw production.