Improving productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) by using water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation

A field experiment was conducted during the summer seasons of 2011 and 2012 at Junagadh, Gujarat to improve productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by using water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation. Results indicated that maximum SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) was recorded with the application of water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation @ 150 kg/ha at 50 DAS, while dry matter accumulation/plant, plant height and number of nodules/plant (at 75 DAS) were found higher in the treatment receiving water soluble fertilizer @226.5 kg/ha through drip irrigation. Similarly, number and weight of mature pods/plant, 100-kernel weight and shelling out-turn were also recorded higher with water soluble fertilizer @ 226.5 kg/ha through drip irrigation. Maximum pod yield (2.67 t/ha), haulm yield (4.96 t/ha), kernel yield (1.82 t/ha), oil content (50.3%), oil yield (0.92 t/ha), protein yield (0.50 t/ha) and nutrient uptake (200.1 kg NPKB/ha) were recorded with the application of water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation @ 226.5 kg/ha. This treatment also gave maximum net returns (50.9 × 10³/ha) and water productivity (787 g/m³), while maximum benefit: cost ratio (2.42) was obtained under recommended dose of fertilizers (25 kg N, 22 kg P and 24.9 kg K/ha) fb check basin method of irrigation. After harvesting of groundnut, maximum actual N (36.0 kg/ha), P (8.5 kg/ha) and K (31.4 kg/ha) gains were recorded in the treatment receiving water soluble fertilizer @ 250 kg/ha through drip irrigation compared to all other treatments. Application of water soluble fertilizers through drip also saved 36–38% water over check basin method of irrigation.