Drip fertigation and irrigation interval effects on growth, productivity, nutrient, and water economy in summer peanut

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of irrigation intervals and fertigation on growth, yield, and quality of peanut as well as an account of fertilizer and water savings under drip irrigation combined with fertigation. Pod and haulm yields and economics of peanut with application of irrigation water at I1, i.e. 4 day interval through drip (10 day in surface irrigation) did not differ significantly compared with I2, i.e. 6 day interval through drip (15 day in surface irrigation). However, significantly higher kernel and oil yields were obtained at I1 and also recorded higher partial factor productivity (PFP). Our study showed that drip irrigation saved 37.2% irrigation water over surface method. Fertigation at 75% Nitrogen & potassium (NK) through drip with 75% P in soil (F3) significantly improved pod, haulm, kernel, and oil yields by 14.3%, 11.5%, 13.9%, and 12.3%, respectively, while net returns increased by INR 13,499 ha−1 over 50% NK through drip with 50% P in soil (F2) and at par with others. Fertigation at 50–100% NK with 50‒100% P in soil (F2 to F4) could save 36.4–37.3% irrigation water over F1. Maximum PFP was recorded under F2.Abbreviations: N: Nitrogen; P: phosphorus; K: potassium; M: million