Effect of varietal selection and nutrient management on productivity, soil fertility and economics of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at research farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, during 3 consecutive summer seasons of 2017, 2018 and 2019, to find out the influence of varietal differences and nutrient-management practices on crop productivity, soil fertility and economics in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications. Higher crop growth and yield were recorded under variety ‘TAG 24’; and 125% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with Rhizobium inoculation resulted higher growth, yield attributes and yield of groundnut followed by 100% RDF + Rhizobium inoculation. The nutrient (N, P and K) availability in soil after harvesting was also higher under ‘TAG 24’ variety with 125% RDF + Rhizobium. However, interaction effect of crop variety and fertilizer treatment was found insignificant. The pooled analysis of economics revealed that, higher benefit: cost ratio (2.73) was obtained under ‘TAG 24’ in combination with 100% RDF+ Rhizobium.