Sulphur Fertilization in Summer Groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea )

1. Sulphur Fertilization in Summer Groundnut (Arachishypogaea) NK Jain1*, HN Meena2, Debarati Bhaduri3 and RS Yadav4 ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh (Gujarat)- 361 001 1HRM Unit, ICAR, KAB-II, New Delhi 2,ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh 3ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 4ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur *Corresponding Author: nkjjp1971@gmail.com

2. Introduction • Globally, groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the 4th most important source of edible oil and 3rd most important source of protein. • In India, Area: 5.86 M ha, Production: 8.27 M tonnes, • Productivity:1411 kg/ha (2010-11), quite low compared to other countries. • In Gujarat: Area: 2.31 L ha, Production: 4.16 L tonnes, • Productivity:1804 kg/ha during summer season. • Imbalanced fertilization: Main reason for low productivity • Besides NPK, sulphur is one of the essential nutrient elements which plays an important roles: • Carbohydrate metabolism • Formation of chlorophyll, glycosides, oils and many other compounds that are involved in N-fixation and photosynthesis of plants. • Production of protein (cysteine, cystine and methionine: Amino acids).

3. Main factors responsible for increased S deficiency: • Removal of large amount of sulphur • Intensive cropping • Continuous use of high analysis fertilizers • Further, S can be applied to the soil through any suitable S-carrier. • The choice of suitable S source influences the efficiency and depends Crop Local availability soil type Price • Groundnut is an energy-rich oilseed crop, so P and S nutrition assumes greater importance in comparison to other nutrients. • In absence of sulphur, carbohydrates are not fully utilised for the formation of oil. • The maturity of pods is also delayed in the absence of adequate S, ultimately poor pod yield of groundnut is obtained. • Against this backdrop, the present investigation was undertaken.

4. Materials and Methods Year of study: Summer 2011-13 Treatments: 1. S sources: 03 Gypsum Cosavet Single super phosphate (SSP) 2. S levels (kg/ha) : 03 20 40 60 3. Absolute control Treatment combinations: 10 Replications : 3 Design : Factorial RBD Variety: TG 37A RDF : 25 kg N, 22.0 kg P and 24.9 kg K ha-1 (100% RDF)

5. Treatment application: At the time of sowing as per treatments Crop spacing: 30 cm x 10 cm Sowing time: 8th Feb. 2011, 6th Feb. 2012 and 25th Jan., 2013 Days to maturity: 112, 120 and 113 DAS, resp.

6. Results and discussion Pod and haulm yields (Mean data of 3 seasons) • Sources and levels of S had marked influence on pod and haulm yields of groundnut over the absolute control. • Application of S through SSP, being at par with cosavet significantly enhanced the pod yield by 9.9% and haulm yield by 13.3% over application of S through gypsum. • Successive increase in S levels up to 40 kg ha-1 produced significantly higher pod (2603 kg ha-1) and haulm yields (3410 kg ha-1) over 20 kg S ha-1

7. Sulphur use efficiency • Single super phosphate also showed higher sulphur use efficiency (12.8 kg pods kg-1 S) than gypsum and cosavet. • Sulphur use efficiency decreased with successive increase in S levels and found maximum under the treatment 20 kg S ha-1(13.1 kg pods kg-1 S).

8. Economics • Significantly higher net returns ( Rs 80112 ha-1) and BC ratio (3.14) were also accrued under supply of S through SSP over application of S either through gypsum or cosavet. • Successive increase in S levels up to 40 kg ha-1 produced significantly higher net returns ( Rs 77720 ha-1 ) and BC ratio (2.98) over 20 kg S ha-1 .

9. Conclusion Application of 40 kg S ha-1 in the form of single super phosphate along with recommended dose of N,P and K was found to be more remunerative and productive in summer groundnut.

10. THANKS