Nguyen Van Chuong1,3*, Tran Thanh Liem1,3, Tran Le Kim Tri2,3, Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Trang1,3, Phan Tran Hai Dang1,3
1Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, An Giang University, Vietnam
2Department of Laboratory, An Giang University, Vietnam
3Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
*Corresponding author’s email: nvchuong@agu.edu.vn
Received: 16 July 2025 / Accepted: 19 September 2025 / Published Online: 29 September 2025
Abstract
Arsenic (As) contamination poses a serious threat to crop productivity and food safety in the Mekong Delta. This study evaluated the synergistic effects of Bacillus songklensis (BS), Bacillus siamensis WD-32 (WD-32), and vermicompost (VA) on soil fertility, peanut growth, yield, and arsenic accumulation. A field experiment was conducted in An Phu commune, An Giang province, Vietnam, using two factors with (factor 1) three vermicompost (VA) rates (0, 5, and 10 t ha⁻¹) and (factor 2) three microbial inoculation treatments: BS, WD-32, and their combination. The studied results revealed that the combined application of 10 t ha⁻¹ VA with both bacterial strains significantly improved soil chemical properties, including pH (6.10), CEC (7.98 cmol⁺ kg⁻¹), SOM (2.21%), TN (0.20%), AP (352 mg kg⁻¹), and EK (160 mg kg⁻¹). This integrated treatment also promoted plant development, pod formation, and achieved the highest fresh pod yield (7.34 t ha⁻¹), representing an 11% increase compared to the control (Without BS, WD-32 and VA). Notably, this treatment reduced As accumulation in stems and seeds by 25% and 30%, respectively, relative to the control. The synergistic effects were clearly demonstrated through key interaction parameters, confirming that the co-application of BS, WD-32 and VA is more effective than single applications. These findings highlight the potential of combining VA application with seed inoculation using BS and WD-32 as a sustainable strategy to enhance peanut yield and reduce arsenic uptake under field conditions, particularly in arsenic-contaminated areas.
Keywords: Animal manures, Arsenic, Beneficial bacteria, Groundnut, Organic amendment
