Growth and development of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) under foliar application of panchgavya and leaf extracts of endemic plants

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Research Station, CAZRI, Jaisalmer during kharif 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the efficacy of foliar applied panchgavya on the physiological growth, nutrient uptake, yield and economics of groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea) with and without mixing leaf extracts of neem ( Azadirachta indica), datura ( Datura metel) and tumba ( Citr ullus colocynthis). The results of the experiment revealed that foliar appli- cation of panchgavya + neem leaf extract (NLE) recorded significant improvement in chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase activity, root nodule weight, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, nutrient content and uptake of groundnut when compared with control and panchgavya alone. Yield attributes (pod weight, pod index, kernel index, shelling per cent) and harvest index were also recorded significantly higher with panchgavya + NLE. The pod, haulm and biological yield increased by 54, 25 and 39% with foliar application of panchgavya + NLE over the control. Maximum net return (Rs 45,399/ha) and B: C ratio (2.19) was recorded with foliar application of panchgavya + NLE over other sources. Foliar application at branching (35 DAS) and flowering (55 DAS) re- corded significantly higher growth and yield of groundnut, net return (Rs 42,880/ha) and benefit: cost (2.06) than foliar application of the sources either one of these two stages.