Effect of Dolomite on Growth, Productivity, Economics of Groundnut and Soil Properties in alfisols

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of dolomite on the growth, and productivity of groundnut and soil properties at the Main Agricultural Research Station, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka during kharif 2019. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design consisting eight treatments (Control, Gypsum @ 500 kg ha-1, Dolomite @ 250, 500, and 750 kg ha-1, Cured dolomite with FYM @ 250, 500 and 750kg ha-1) with three replications. Results of the study showed that higher growth parameters viz., plant height (48.3 cm), number of branches per plant (8.5), leaf area (19.6 dm2 plant-1), leaf area index (6.53) and dry matter production per plant (40.48 g plant-1) at harvest were recorded with the application of cured dolomite with FYM @ 750 kg ha-1. Significantly higher kernel yield (19.8 q ha-1) and net returns ( 66,240 ha-1) were recorded with the application of cured dolomite with FYM @ 750 kg ha-1 which was found on par with application of cured dolomite with FYM @ 500 kg ha-1, dolomite @ 750 kg ha-1 and dolomite @ 500 kg ha-1. The same trend was observed in case of soil chemical properties viz., calcium and magnesium content in the soil after harvest of groundnut. Thus, it was found that application of dolomite @ 500 kg ha-1 was found better either with curing or without curing by using FYM.