Yield response of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) to phosphate enriched animal manures and foliar fertilization of micronutrients

Abstract

Intensively managed agroecosystem soils are generally become deficient to soil macro and micronutrients. It can be supplemented through frequent soil application, although, scarcity of soil moisture makes the nutrients unavailable for crops. Nutrient enriched manure applications coupled with foliar fertilization of micronutrients such as Zinc and Boron in nutrient deficit soils may be crucial for better crop growth and yield. Therefore, this study was conducted during the kharif season of 2017-18 at Farmers’ Field at Western agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu, India to investigate the role of enticed organic manures and micronutrients Zn and B foliar application on yield and benefit-cost ratio of groundnut grown under rainfed conditions. The results revealed that application of 10 kg N, 45 kg K2O/ha and 10 kg P2O5/ha as enriched sheep yard manure (ESYM) (750 kg/ha) along with foliar application of ZnSO4 0.5% and borax 0.2% at flowering and peg formation stages recorded the higher plant height (61.74 cm), leaf area index (4.76), DMP (5.59 t/ha), crop growth rate (14.35 g/m2/day), pod yield (2.18 t/ha) and oil yield (49.83%). The higher return/rupee invested (Rs. 2.66/-) was also obtained from the same treatment and can be recommended for augment the productivity of groundnut in rainfed agroecosystem.