Effect of different land configurations and spacings on growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh faces problems of inadequate moisture availability and proper crop stand for successful crop production that results in partial or total failure of crop with occurrence of mild to severe drought. Therefore, adoption of proper spacings and proper land configurations are required in order to reduce yield losses. So, the purpose of this study is to find optimum spacing and suitable land configuration for maximizing the groundnut yield. A field experiment was conducted to study the performance of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to different land configurations and spacings on sandy loam soils at College Farm, Agricultural College, Mahanandi during rabi, 2021-2022. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with two factors each having four treatments and replicated thrice. The results revealed that the growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, LAI and number of branches were recorded higher with the land configurations corrugation, flat bed with crop compaction, ridges and furrows and flat bed with crop compaction, respectively. Spacing 30 x 10 cm recorded higher plant height, dry matter accumulation and LAI and higher number of branches were observed with 60 x 10 cm spacing. Among different interactions treatment combination ridge and furrow with 30 x 10 cm spacing, flat bed with crop compaction with 30 x 10 cm spacing, flat bed with crop compaction with 60 x 10 cm spacing has recorded higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, LAI and number of branches, respectively. Higher pod and haulm yields were observed with the land configuration flat bed with crop compaction and 30 x 10 cm spacing. Treatment combination flat bed with crop compaction and 30 x 10 cm spacing has recorded higher pod and haulm yields.