Indian Journal of Agronomy
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 68
  • Issue: 1

Effect of integrated rainwater-management practices on soil properties and productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in arid and semi-arid regions of Andhra Pradesh

  • Author:
  • A. Malliswara Reddy1,*, A. Pratap Kumar Reddy2, B. Ravindranatha Reddy3, M.V.S. Naidu4, P. Sudhakar5, B. Sahadeva Reddy6
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 54 to 59

1Scientist (Agronomy), Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, 515 001

2Dean of Agriculture, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhra Psradesh, 522 034

3Associate Dean, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, S.V. Agricultural College, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517 502

4Professor, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, S.V. Agricultural College, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517 502

5Controller of Examinations, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhra Psradesh, 522 034

6Principal Scientist and Head, Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, 515 001

*Corresponding author's Email: malliagronomy@gmail.com

Online published on 29 November, 2023.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season (kharif) of 2017 and 2018 at Agricultural Research Station of the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, to study the effect of integrated rainwater-management practices on soil properties and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 9 rainwater-management practices with 3 replications. Results indicated that, application of shales @ 300 t/ha as surface mulch combined with 2 supplemental irrigations of 10 mm each when dryspell of 10 days occurs after 50% flowering treatment (T7) increased the porosity, water holding capacity, infiltration rate by 17.8, 41.2 and 24.6%, respectively, and bulk density was reduced by 5.0% compared to dryland groundnut (T1). Similarly, the same treatment (T7) enhanced the groundnut pod yield by 39.68% compared to the control (T1). Thus, application of shales @ 300 t/ha as surface mulch combined with 2 supplemental irrigations of 10 mm each when dryspell of 10 days occurs after 50% flowering proved the best integrated rainwater-management practice to improve soil properties and increase the productivity of groundnut under arid and semi-arid regions of Andhra Pradesh.

Keywords

Dryspell, Groundnut, Physical properties, Productivity, Rainwater management, Supplemental irrigation