Effect of gypsum levels and application timing for improved growth, yield and oil productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Southern Odisha

Abstract

During the rabi season (2023–2024), a field experiment was conducted at the Post-Graduate Research Farm, M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, to evaluate the effect of gypsum levels and time of application on the growth, yield and oil productivity of groundnut. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design (FRBD) with three replications. The treatments comprised three gypsum rates (100, 200 and 300 kg/ha) and four application timings (basal, pegging, pod-formation and split application: 50 % at pegging + 50 % at pod formation). Growth parameters, pod yield, kernel yield, haulm yield, biological yield, kernel oil (%), oil yield and plant calcium and sulphur concentrations/uptake were recorded. Gypsum application at 300 kg/ha significantly improved plant height, number of branches per plant and dry matter by 6.8 %, 20.1 % and 9.4 % respectively, over 100 kg/ha. Kernel and pod yields increased by 13.4 % and 8.9 %, while oil content and oil yield increased by 8.2 % and 19.3 % respectively. Basal application (at sowing) outperformed late application (at pod formation), with increases of up to 16.2 % in plant height, 77.8 % in branches, 28.5 % in dry matter, 39.9 % in kernel yield and 49.8% in oil yield. Basal application recorded the highest kernel oil content (46.9 %) and oil yield (975 kg/ha). The findings demonstrate that gypsum at           300 kg/ha, applied at sowing, is best for enhancing the growth and productivity of groundnut.