Effect of Cyanobacterial Combinations on Peanut Yield

Abstract

The characteristics of two cyanobacterial strains, Anabaena oryzae and Nostoc muscorum, were studied in order to use them as biofertilizers in a field experiment conducted in the two winter seasons of 2021 and 2022 at the Ismailia Agricultural Research Center Station to study the effect of both strains on peanut plant in sandy soil. Cyanobacterial strains were used individually by coating seed, soil drench, and foliar applications, as well as mixed applications of two strains in various ways. Both cyanobacterial strains morphological examination revealed that they both have heterocysts, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in their culture filtrate, and they were able to produce chlorophyll a and phosphatase enzymes. The results of an agricultural experiment showed that using Nostoc muscorum and Anabaena oryzae separately had a positive effect on peanut plants in a variety of applications, but combining both of these applications with 75% nitrogen increased the growth traits, nutrient contents, and soil biological activities in both peanut plants and their rhizosphere soil. The soil drench treatment with A. oryzae and Nostoc muscorum plus 75% nitrogen produced the highest growth results and peanut yields in a single application. The A. oryzae Soil Drench Application (S) + N. muscorum Foliar Application (F) with 75% N reported the best outcomes in mixed treatments. However, compared to single applications, all blended applications displayed better growth and yield characteristics. The results of the study suggest that employing cyanobacteria in a mixed application will enhance its advantages over a single use.