Asian Research Journal of Current Science

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of mulching and combinations of different urea levels with rhizobium inoculation on the growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) at the Oilseed Crops Research Section, Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), Myanmar, during the post-monsoon seasons from December 2024 to March 2025 and from November 2025 to March 2026. Field experiments were conducted using a split-plot design with three replications. Mulching, consisting of rice straw mulch at 6 t ha⁻¹ and no mulch, were assigned to the main-plot factor, while combinations of different urea levels and rhizobium (Rh) inoculation (100% U without Rh, 100% U with Rh, 75% U with Rh, 50% U with Rh, 25% U with Rh, and 0% U with Rh) were assigned to the subplot factor. Sinpadathar-11 was used as the test variety. In both experiments, mulching significantly enhanced SPAD values, growth parameters, and pod yield compared with no mulch. Reduced urea levels combined with Rh inoculation significantly improved plant height, SPAD values, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), and pod yield. No significant interaction was observed between mulching and the combinations of urea levels with Rh inoculation. However, the highest pod yield was recorded with 50% U with Rh, followed by 25% U with Rh under mulching, whereas the lowest pod yield was observed with 0% U with Rh. Based on the improved growth performance and pod yield of groundnut, the application of 50% urea combined with Rh inoculation under mulching produced the highest pod yield. In addition, the application of 25% urea with Rh inoculation under mulching was also suitable for the study area, as it maintained pod yield without a significant reduction compared with 50% urea with Rh, reduced dependence on synthetic fertilisers, and promoted environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices.