The effect of green manure (leaves of Sesbania grandiflora and Gliricidia maculata) on the growth of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) grown on BRIS soil.

BRIS (Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales) soil is a problematic soil in Malaysia. The present study focuses on how to improve BRIS soil as a sandy soil contain poor nutrients with low water holding capacity and organic matter. More than 90% of the composition of BRIS soil is sand and the soil is considered practically worthless for agricultural purposes. Application two types of green manure which is Sesbania grandiflora and Gliricidia maculata leaves in order to solve the problematic of BRIS soil. Twenty-four Arachis hypogaea plants were test growth performance on BRIS soil and conducted under full sunlight. The experiments were laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with four replications. Parameters that measured are plant height, total leaves number, diameter, dry biomass production and Relative Growth Rate (RGR). The result of ANOVA for height Arachis hypogaea where only week 4 and week 8 shows significant value on media which are week 4 (P=0.007) and week 8 (P=0.000). Total number of leaves showed week 8 has significant value which is P=0.024 on media. While, diameter Arachis hypogaea showed week 1 has significant value on media P=0.004. Then, RGR showed significant value on media P=0.002. The different media and type of green manure is main variables, it was shown that there was no significant relationship between media and green manure in the composition of the soil. No significant differences were recorded for green manure as treatment throughout 66 days experimental period. Only media that contained ratios gave effect on the growth performance of Arachis hypogaea.