Determination of Seed Yield and Quality as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

The present study aimed to determine the effect of integrated nutrient management during basal and vegetative growth stages on crop growth, yield attributing characters, pod yield, Seed quality and storability of groundnut. Sustainable yield in groundnut can be achieved through the integrated use of nutrients from organic and inorganic sources to improve the nutrient supply system as well as various soil properties. The application of gypsum can reduce dispersion and promote flocculation of soils. Flocculation is a necessary condition for the formation and stabilization of soil structure. A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif, 2013-14 to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on the crop growth, yield attributes, seed yield and quality characteristics of groundnut variety TAG 24. The soil of the experimental plot was acidic, with a loamy sand texture, with low in available N, P and S and medium in boron. The trial was conducted in a split-plot design with three replications, where the four main plot treatments included the soil application of FYM @ 7.5 t/ha, RDNPK @ 20:40:40 kg/ha and Borax @ 15 kg/ha applied singly or in combination. The sub-plot treatments comprised absolute control, urea 2% spray at 30 days after sowing, urea 2% spray at 30 and 60 days after sowing and application of gypsum @ 300 kg/ha as topdressing at 20 days after sowing. Parameters like plant height, days to 50% flowering and days to maturity were not influenced by the various treatments of nutrient management through both basal and application at vegetative growth stage. The combined application of FYM + RDNPK+ Borax showed the highest mature pods/plant, pod weight, seeds/pod, and test weight resulting in maximum pod yield/plant and yield/ha with 24.5 and 13.8% increase over RDNPK, respectively. Comparing this treatment to FYM and RDNPK, there was a considerable increase in both the proportion of bold seeds and the shelling %. Top-dressing with gypsum also showed a similar trend in nutrition throughout the vegetative stage for the aforementioned characters. Additionally, as demonstrated by the accelerated ageing test of the seeds, these two treatments demonstrated improved seed quality characteristics such as germination %, field emergence, index of speed of germination, vigor index, and storability. Hence, integrated application of FYM 7.5 t/ha + RDNPK @ 20:40:40 kg/ha + Borax @ 15 kg/ha as basal during sowing and also application of gypsum @ 300 kg/ha as topdressing during vegetative growth stage may be useful for maximization of seed yield, quality and storability.