Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
O Vinay Kumar, A Madhavi Latha, TL Neelima, PV Geetha Sireesha and K Pavan Chandra Reddy

Abstract:
Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) is the most important oil seed crop in India. The cultivated area in Telangana state under groundnut is around 0.79 lakh ha with a production of 3.73 lakh tonnes in rabi 2022-23. Enough Ca and S content in the soil around the peanut pods leads to increased yield, seed oil and protein contents. Gypsum and CaMS super (Ca, Mg, S) are the soluble sources of essential plant nutrients like calcium and sulphur to groundnut which can improve overall plant growth. A field experiment was conducted in a Randomized block design under rabi 2020-21, at Farmers’ fields in Narwa mandal of Telangana state. Experimental data revealed that, application of 100% RDF + Gypsum @ 625 kg ha^-1 (50% at flower initiation stage + 50% at pod development stage recorded highest dry matter production of 7783 kg ha^-1. Gypsum is applied at flowering stage shown one day earlier than it was applied in split doses of gypsum application. The highest number of developed pods per plant (15) was observed T₆ (100% RDF + Gypsum @ 625 kg ha^-1 (50% at flower initiation stage + 50% at pod development stage) treatment which was at par with T₄ (100% RDF + Gypsum @ 500 kg ha^-1 (50% at flower initiation stage + 50% at pod development stage) and T₈ (100% RDF +Gypsum @ 750 kg ha^-1 (50% at flower initiation stage + 50% at pod development stage) treatment with 14 pods per plant. SSP, Gypsum and CaMS Super application levels exerted non-significant influence on number of seeds per pod. Application of 100% RDF + Gypsum @ 625 kg ha^-1 (50% at flower initiation stage + 50% at pod development stage) resulted maximum pod weight of 69.30 g which was at par with CaMS Super applied treatment. Similarly the above said T₆ treatment got highest pod yield (2737 kg ha^-1) and Haulm yield (5046 kg ha^-1), Harvest Index (0.35) and shelling percentage (77.43%) which was significantly higher than other treatments.