Effect of organic manure, phosphorus and gypsum on growth, yield and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment was conducted during 1997–99 to study the effect of organic manure, phosphorus and gypsum on growth, yield and quality of ground nut under rainfed conditions. Application of organic manure significantly increased number of branches, leaf area index, root dry weight, hydration ratio and periodic dry matter accumulation (DMA) and thereby yield and quality of ground nut. A mean increase of 14.0 and 11.3 per cent in pod yield was recorded under FYM and poultry manure applications over control (16.22 q ha⁻¹). Application of 60 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ significantly increased growth, yield and quality parameters compared to 20 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹. The effect of gypsum either in single or in split doses on DMA at 45 DAS was not evident but as crop growth advanced, the effect on all growth parameters was evident. The two modes of gypsum application proved equally effective in increasing pod yield of groundnut. Gypsum treatments significantly increased harvest index of ground nut on pooled basis. Oil and protein content of groundnut kernel increased significantly under gypsum treatments.