Effect of sulphur application and planting methods on soil properties and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
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Date
2023-07
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
During the kharif season of 2022, a study titled " Effect of sulphur application and planting methods on soil properties and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)" was conducted at CCS HAU, Regional Research Station in Bawal. The study employed a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatments included three levels of sulphur application (0, 25, and 50 kg S ha-1) and three planting methods: flat bed, flat bed with earthing up, and ridge-furrow method with basal application of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) at a rate of 15:50:25 kg ha-1 (N: P2O5:K2O). The findings indicated a significant increase in plant height, number of nodules, and their fresh weight when sulphur was applied and different planting methods were practiced. Groundnut pod plant-1, as well as pod and stover yield, exhibited an increase when sulphur application was increased and the ridge-furrow planting method was employed, compared to the control. The application of sulphur up to 50 kg S ha-1 and the utilization of the ridge-furrow planting method led to a significant increase in quality parameters such as protein content, shelling percentage, and oil content (excluding oil content in this case). N, P, K and S content in seed and stover was significantly increased with the application of sulphur and in ridge-furrow method. Uptake of macro nutrients in seed and stover significantly increased with the application of sulphur and up to 50 kg S ha-1 and ridge-furrow planting method respectively. Soil properties like pH, EC and organic carbon reported no significant changes with the levels of sulphur and planting methods. Available N, P, K, S and micronutrients of soil after crop harvest increased significantly with the sulphur application. The availability of particular nutrients significantly increased by its application, therefore availability of S significantly increased with sulphur application. Overall soil fertility was also found to be improved due to the application of sulphur and different planting methods in groundnut. Economic analysis was done to found the economic feasibility of the treatments and the higher net monetary returns Rs. 90873 ha-1 with B:C ratio (2.22) under the treatment combination S50 + ridge- furrow and this treatment looks more remunerative. It was concluded from the experiment that higher groundnut yield was harvested with better quality and more net return when sulphur was applied @ 50 kg S ha-1 and in ridge-furrow planting method respectively.