Legume Research
Web of Science
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue: 11

Sustainable Intensification of Rainfed Groundnut Farming: Assessing Mechanized In situ Rainwater Conservation Practices for Yield, Energy and Carbon Efficiency

  • Author:
  • Kishore Nalabolu1,*, Ratna Raju2, D. Srigiri1, V. Shobhan Naik1, K. Arun Kumar3, B.V. Mohana Rao4
  • Total Page Count: 9
  • Page Number: 1896 to 1904

1Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Madakasira-515 301, Andhra Pradesh, India

2Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Dr. NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Bapatla-522 101, Andhra Pradesh, India

3Department of Agronomy, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Nandyal-518 503, Andhra Pradesh, India

4Department of Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Madakasira-515 301, Andhra Pradesh, India

*Corresponding Author: Kishore Nalabolu, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Madakasira-515 301, Andhra Pradesh, India, Email: n.kishore@angrau.ac.in

Online Published on 10 February, 2026.

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivation in semi-arid Andhra Pradesh is constrained by limited rainfall. Enhancing rainwater conservation is essential for improving productivity and resource efficiency. Mechanized in-situ rainwater conservation practices have emerged as interventions to address these challenges in recent years.

A field study evaluated eight mechanized in situ rainwater conservation techniques on groundnut yield, morphological characteristics, energy budgeting and carbon footprint indices during 2022-2023. Treatments included subsoiling, conservation furrows, broad bed and furrow, furrow diking and combinations. Subsoiling with furrow diking (T8), conservation furrow (T6) and broad bed and furrow (T7) were compared to a control (T1). The study assessed yield parameters, rainwater use efficiency, energy indices and carbon footprint using linear regression analysis.

T8 significantly improved groundnut performance compared to the control, achieving the highest pod yield (361.2 kg ha-1), haulm yield (2420 kg ha-1) and RWUE (0.888 kg ha-1 mm-1), representing increases of 288%, 67% and 289% over T1, respectively. Growth parameters were superior under T6-T8. T8 recorded the highest energy output (47,717 MJ ha-1) and net energy return (40,286 MJ ha-1), while T6 exhibited the lowest specific energy (20.6 MJ kg-1). Carbon intensity was reduced from 5.70 kg CO2-eq kg-1 in T1 to 2.32 kg CO2 -eq kg-1 in T8. Mechanized rainwater conservation enhanced yield, energy efficiency and carbon sustainability in semi-arid conditions.

Keywords

Carbon footprint, Carbon intensity, Energy budgeting, Rainfed groundnut farming