Effects of Biochar and Rhizobium Inoculation on Nodulation and Growth of Groundnut in Sokoto State, Nigeria

An experiment was conducted in 2015 at the screenhouse of Teaching and Research Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, to determine the effects of biochar and rhizobium inoculation (HISTICK) on nodulation and growth of groundnut plant (SAMNUT-24). Two factors were used for this experiment; Biochar rates and rhizobium inoculation. Biochar was applied at the rates of 0 t/ha, 10 t/ha and 20 t/ha while 5 g of rhizobia was inoculated to 1 kg of groundnut seeds (inoculated [+]). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. Data were collected on growth parameters and nodulation and were analyzed by ANOVA and means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% level of significance. The results showed that 10 t/ha and 20 t/ha of biochar significantly (P < 0.05) increased number of effective nodules (11.33 and 14.0 respectively) and shoot dry matter yield (7.95 kg/ha and 8.67 kg/ha respectively) when compared with control (0 t/ha). No significant differences were observed in number of leaves, heights of plants, root dry matter yield and number of non-effective nodules among biochar rates. Rhizobium inoculation had significantly (P < 0.05) increases the number of effective nodules (12.33), shoot (8.14 kg/ha) and root (2.2 kg/ha) dry matter yields. In conclusion rhizobium could be inoculated in biochar amended soil to improve nodulation and growth parameters of groundnut plant. 10 t/ha could be used to improve growth parameter of groundnut plant.