Effect of alley width and organic manure on productivity of groundnut andIn-situmoisture conservation under dryland eco-system

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2000-01 to 2005-06 to find out suitable alley width and organic manure for groundnut crop on medium black clay soil (vertisols). The pod and haulm yield of groundnut were improved with the increase in levels of alley width and recorded significantly highest under 9.6 m alley width. Whereas, significantly higher green bio mass of gliricidia and soil moisture content were obtained under 6.0 m alley width. Application of FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher pod yield of groundnut, while lopping of gliricidia applied as mulch recorded significantly higher soil moisture content (%). Interaction effect was found non-significant in respect of pod and haulm yield of groundnut and green bio mass of glyricidia. Whereas, significantly higher soil moisture content was recorded under lopping of gliricidia applied as mulch with 9.6 m alley width. Growing of groundnut with glyricidia at the alley width of 9.6 m gave the highest net returns of Rs. 15668 ha-1 with the benefit: cost ratio of 1.12. While application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 gave the highest net returns of Rs.14230 ha-1 as compared to control.