Enhancing Kharif Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Yield and Quality through Foliar Nutrition

A field experiment was conducted at Post Graduate Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur during Kharif season of 2017-18 to study the effect of foliar nutrition of fertilizer on yield, nutrient uptake and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications and seven treatments in which treatments comprised of seven treatments viz; absolute control, GRD, GRD+ water spray, GRD+19:19:19 spray (2 %), GRD+Ca(NO3)2 spray (2 %), GRD+Micro. gr.II (0.25 %) and GRD+Schoenite spray (1 %), respectively. The results revealed that foliar spray of Ca(NO3)2 2 % at 45 and 60 DAS showed significant effect on yield and yield attributes of groundnut crop, along with quality. Significantly, highest dry pod, kernel and haulm yields (32.6, 22.36 and 39.1 q ha-1, respectively) were recorded by foliar spray of 2 % Ca(NO3)2 and among other foliar spray, at par with the corresponding highest yields (29.9, 20.40 and 38.0 q ha-1, respectively) were recorded with foliar spray of 2 % 19:19:19 and significantly superior over 0.25 % Micro. gr. II spray, 1 % Schoenite spray and water spray. Significantly, highest oil yield was recorded by 2 % Ca(NO3)2 spray (1016 kg ha-1) and at par with 2 % 19:19:19 spray (924 kg ha-1), respectively. While the oil content was non-significant. The shelling percentage ranged 67-69 % but the effect of various treatments on shelling percentage was non-significant.