Response of groundnut to phosphorus and bio-organics in Alfisols of Red and Laterite zone of India

Abstract

Present study was carried out for three consecutive kharif season of 2018, 2019 and 2020 to evaluate the performance of different levels of chemical phosphatic fertilizers and FYM in combination with PSB inoculant on groundnut growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake in an acidic Red and Laterite soil. Application of higher dose of phosphatic fertilizer along with PSB inoculant yielded better results with respect to groundnut plant height, nodulation, pegs and pods plant⁻¹, weight of mature pods plant⁻¹, kernel and haulm yield, protein and oil content, and nutrient uptake. Treatment combination T₇ (60 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅ + PSB inoculant) was observed as the best treatment combination for deriving maximum growth, yield and nutrients uptake of kharif groundnut crop. Treatment T₆ (application of 40 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅ + PSB inoculant) reported similar results. However, maximum profit ($862), benefit cost ratio (2.7) and net return per unit cost of input was significantly higher in T₇ compared to T₆. Thus, we recommend application of 60 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅ with PSB inoculant (T₇) for the light textured acid soils of Red and Laterite zone of India for higher production and profitability.

Keywords:

• Groundnut
• integrated nutrient management
• phosphate solubilizing fertilizer
• red and laterite soils

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to AICRP on Groundnut, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya for providing necessary support during entire period of the research. Authors are also thankful to ICAR- Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh for providing financial assistance to carry out the experimentation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.