Improving productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) by using water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation

A field experiment was conducted during the summer seasons of 2011 and 2012 at Junagadh, Gujarat to im- prove productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by using water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation. Re- sults indicated that maximum SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) was recorded with the application of water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation @ 150 kg/ha at 50 DAS, while dry matter accumulation/plant, plant height and number of nodules/plant (at 75 DAS) were found higher in the treatment receiving water soluble fertilizer @ 226.5 kg/ha through drip irrigation. Similarly, number and weight of mature pods/plant, 100-kernel weight and shelling out-turn were also recorded higher with water soluble fertilizer @ 226.5 kg/ha through drip irrigation. Maxi- mum pod yield (2.67 t/ha), haulm yield (4.96 t/ha), kernel yield (1.82 t/ha), oil content (50.3%), oil yield (0.92 t/ha), protein yield (0.50 t/ha) and nutrient uptake (200.1 kg NPKB/ha) were recorded with the application of water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation @ 226.5 kg/ha. This treatment also gave maximum net returns (50.9 103 /ha) and water productivity (787 g/m3), while maximum benefit: cost ratio (2.42) was obtained under recom- mended dose of fertilizers (25 kg N, 22 kg P and 24.9 kg K/ha) fb check basin method of irrigation. After harvest- ing of groundnut, maximum actual N (36.0 kg/ha), P (8.5 kg/ha) and K (31.4 kg/ha) gains were recorded in the treatment receiving water soluble fertilizer @ 250 kg/ha through drip irrigation compared to all other treatments. Application of water soluble fertilizers through drip also saved 3638% water over check basin method of irriga- tion.