Effect of different sources of nutrient application on productivity, nutrient uptake and economics of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Kolasib district of Mizoram

A field experiment was carried out during kharif seasons of 2005 and 2006 at ICAR RC for NEHR, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib, to study the effect of different sources of nutrient application on productivity of groundnut (ICGS-76) as well as nutrient use efficiency under terrace land conditions at Kolasib district of Mizoram. Seven different nutrient sources viz., Farmyard manure (FYM), Vermicompost, Poultry saw dust manure, Pig manure, Neem cake, Bio-fertilizer and Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) application, were compared with that of application of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and an absolute control. Maximum plant height (59.71 cm) was recorded with application of FYM @10t ha⁻¹, while maximum number of branches (13.66 plant⁻¹), maximum number of pods plant (32.16), pod yield (24.05q ha⁻¹) and kernel yield (14.50q ha⁻¹) was recorded with application of fertilizer at recommended dose (30:50:40 kg N, P₂O₅, KO ha⁻¹), which was at par with application of FYM @ 10t ha⁻¹. The increase in pod and kernel yield under fertilizer treatment was 128.8% and 140.5%, respectively over control. Maximum shelling percent (63.07%) and test weight (56.73g) was recorded with application of arbuscular mycorrhiza alone. Maximum uptake of plant nutrients (58.62 kg N, 19.04 kg P and 34.22 kg K ha⁻¹) was recorded with application of fertilizer at recommended dose. Among different sources of manures tested, FYM @10t ha⁻¹ recorded highest uptake of plant nutrients (51.88 kg N, 17.48 kg P, and 28.58 kg K ha⁻¹). Maximum B: C ratio was recorded under recommended dose of fertilizer application treatment. Among various treatments tested application of inorganic fertilizers at recommended doses has been proved to be the best treatment followed by application of FYM @10 tha⁻¹