Hiremath, S MMukund2019-08-092019-08-092004No. of references 90http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810120660"A field experiment was conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during kharif 2002 to study tlie physiological basis of induction of dormancy in groundnut cv. JL-24. The experiment consisted of foliar application of maleic hydrazide at two stages (60 and 80 DAS) with nine concentrations along with control. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. The results revealed that MH @ 300 ppm (60 and 80 DAS) significantly increased number of branches, leaf and stem dry matter, LAI, TDM, LAD, CGR, NAR, AGR and SLW followed by application of MH @ 200 ppm (60 and 80 DAS) as compared to control. Higher concentration of MH improved RGR values while the plant height decreased significantly. Among the biochemical parameters, chlorophyll 'a', chlorophyll 'b' and total chlorophyll contents were significantly more with MH @ 300 ppm (60 and 80 DAS) followed by MH @ 200 ppm (60 and 80 DAS). The important yield and yield components viz., pod yield, haulm yield, kernel yield, shelling per cent and oil content were significantly more with MH @ 300 ppm (60 and 80 DAS) followed by MH @ 200 ppm (60 and 80 DAS) as compared to control. The post harvest observations (immediately after harvest and 15 days after harvest) revealed that the germination per cent, shoot length, root length and whole seedling length and seedling vigour index were found more in control and these parameters were lowest in treatment with MH @ 300 ppm and this treatment showed more number of dormant seeds. The total phenol contents were more in control and application of MH reduced the contents. The B:C ratio was higher with MH @ 200 ppm (60 and 80 DAS) followed by MH @ 300 ppm (60 and 80 DAS) as compared to control."ennullThesis