The effects of media types and application of organic inputs on the growth performance and yield of Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.

Abstract

Malaysia’s heavy reliance on imported soy-based feed ingredients poses significant challenges to both food security and sustainability in its livestock sector. As an underutilised legume with high protein content and strong ecological adaptability, Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. (jackbean) offers a promising local alternative. This study investigated the combined effects of different growing media (clay, cocopeat, sandy soil, and topsoil) and organic amendments (control, composted chicken manure, green manure, and biochar) on the growth performance and yield of jackbean. The experiment was conducted using a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with five replications, and plants were harvested after 12 weeks. The data on plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, pod length, pod number, flower production, chlorophyll content, shoot biomass, and root biomass were analysed using two-way ANOVA in RStudio. The results demonstrated that sandy soil amended with green manure (GM) consistently produced the highest values for plant height (185.61 cm), number of leaves (84.90), number of branches (33.63) and pod length (17.00 cm). GM in topsoil had higher chlorophyll content (33.08), while it had the highest shoot dry weight (56.18 g) and root dry weight (6.48 g) in cocopeat. GM showed the most robust and consistent enhancement across all media types, indicating its superior nutrient supply and positive effects on rhizosphere microbial activity. In contrast, biochar amended performed poorly, particularly when applied in sandy and topsoil, likely due to poor drainage and nutrient immobilisation. These findings revealed the importance of selecting optimal combinations of organic inputs and soil media to maximise jackbean productivity and highlight their potential as a sustainable crop for protein-rich feed production, supporting the efforts to reduce Malaysia's dependency on soybean imports and enhance agroecological resilience. This study aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting sustainable crop management and enhancing food security.