Effect of planting density on yield and architecture suitability of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) varieties

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2018 and 2019 at the research farm of Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College (Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, to study the effect of planting density on yield and architecture suitability of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties. The experiment included 4 sowing densities (D1, 33.3 plants/m2; D2, 50 plants/m2; D3, 66.6 plants/m2 and D4, 100 plants/m2) and 3 genotypes with varying architecture (G1, Kadiri 6-erect; G2, Kadiri 9-decumbent 2; and G3, Dharani-decumbent 3). The results showed that across planting densities, Dharani and Kadiri 9 genotypes showed higher architectural traits, structural carbohydrates and kernel yield compared to the Kadiri 6. A significant positive correlation was detected between the lodging percentage and both plant height (r = 0.88**) and internodal length (r = 0.61*). Significant negative correlations, were identified between lodging percentage and several parameters, including leaf thickness (r = -0.92**), specific leaf weight (r = -0.93**), stem diameter (r = -0.79**), specific stem weight (r = -0.97**), number of branches (r = -0.72**), cellulose content (r = -0.80**), and lignin content (r = -0.79**). These findings indicate that the decumbent architecture is optimal for achieving groundnut lodging resistance and kernel yield in high-density planting systems.