Growth and Development of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as Influenced by Different Levels and Timing of Phosphogypsum Nutrition

Aims: A field experiment entitled “Growth and development of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as influenced by different levels and timing of phosphogypsum nutrition” was planned to ascertain the role of phosphogypsum an industrial by product in promoting growth of groundnut.

Study Design: Experiment was carried out at Agronomy field unit, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore, during kharif 2019. Experiment was planned with eleven treatments of which eight received sulphur through phosphogypsum at different levels (50, 75, 100 and 125 kg S eq ha-1) as basal and split (30 DAS) and one through gypsum (500 kg ha-1) as basal. Whereas, other two treatments with NPK and NK alone are included for comparison. Design of the experiment is RCBD with eleven treatments replicated thrice.

Results: Among different treatments, application of phosphogypsum 125 kg S eq ha-1 in split recorded highest growth parameters like plant height (42.49 cm), leaf area (1137 cm2 plant-1), dry matter per plant (29.30 g) and number of branches plant‑1 (8.62). Whereas, application of phosphogypsum 100 kg S eq ha‑1 in split found on par with 125 kg with respect to all growth parameters. While lowest values of all the parameters were noticed in treatment receiving N and K fertilizer alone.