Relevance of water-soluble foliar-grade fertilizers on groundnut (Arachis hopogaea) under Konkan condition

A field investigation was conducted on the lateritic soils of Konkan at Agricultural Research Station, Shirgaon, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2011–14, to elicit response of groundnut (Arachis hypocaea L.) cultivar ‘TKG Bold’ to water-soluble foliar-grade fertilizers. Twelve treatments replicated thrice laid out in randomized block design. The application of FYM @ 7.5 t/ha + 100% recommended dose of NPK (RDNPK) (25: 50: 00 NPK kg/ha) along with starter dose of 2% foliar-grade water-soluble fertilizer (starter dose of 11: 36: 24 at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and booster dose of 8: 16: 39 NPK kg/ha at 45 DAS recorded significantly higher pod and kernel yields (2.9 and 2.24 t/ha, respectively) and was at par with FYM @ 7.5 t/ha + 85% RDNPK + foliar application of water-soluble grade fertilizer (FAWSGF) and 100% RDNPK + FAWSGF. However, FYM @ 7.5 t/ha + 100% RDNPK along with FAWSGF resulted in significantly higher haulm yield (3.25 t/ha) but at par with FYM @ 7.5 t/ha + 100% RDNPK. The increment in pod, kernel and haulm yields owing to FYM @ 7.5 t/ha + 100% RDNPK (25: 50: 00 NPK kg/ha) along with 2% FAWSGF was to the tune of 52.6, 55.3 and 53.2% respectively, over the absolute control. The highest net returns (33, 022/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1: 1.41) was obtained with application of FYM @ 7.5 t/ha + 100% RDNPK along with FAWSGF.