Response of Rabi groundnut to sources and levels of phosphorus in red and lateritic soils of inland districts of Orissa

A farmers’ participatory trial was conducted in red and lateritic soils of Kalahandi district of Orissa, during the winter season of 1992–93 and 1993–94 to study the efficacy of different sources and levels of phosphorus on growth and yield of groundnut. Application of P in the form of 50% SSP + 50% MRP produced maximum pod yield (24.13 q/ha) and haulm yield (46.55 q/ha), followed by 50% SSP + 50% DAP, only SSP and only DAP, respectively. Almost similar trend also followed in oil yield, producing maximum oil yield of 8.58 q/ha from SSP+MRP treated plots. Among the levels, 75 kg P₂O₅/ha recorded maximum pod yield (24.51 q/ha) whereas the highest oil yield was obtained with 50 kg P₂O₅/ha due to higher shelling percentage and oil content.