Improvement in Productivity, Water-Use Efficiency, and Soil Nutrient Dynamics of Summer Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) through Use of Polythene Mulch, Hydrogel, and Nutrient Management

• Published in: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 2017-01, Vol.48 (5), p.549-564
• Main Authors: Jain, N. K., Meena, H. N., Bhaduri, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arachis hypogaea; Hydrogel; peanut; polythene mulch; soil nutrient balance; yield
• ISSN: 0010-3624; 1532-2416; 1532-4133
• DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2016.1269792

Agronomic management through better use of inputs benefits farmers both by enhancing productivity and profitability. A field experiment was conducted in consecutive summer seasons (2011-2013) consisting of two mulching (no mulch, polythene mulch), three hydrogel (0, 2.5, 5.0 kg ha −1 ), and three nutrient management treatments (organic, inorganic, and integrated) in a split-split plot design. Use of mulching and 2.5 kg hydrogel ha −1 and integrated nutrient management enhanced pod, haulm, kernel and oil yields, and net economic returns. Partial factor productivity and water-use efficiency were higher under polythene mulch and 5.0 kg hydrogel ha −1 . Higher nutrient uptakes were obtained under both mulching and integrated nutrient management. Use of 2.5 kg hydrogel ha −1 resulted in more removal of N; P and K uptakes were higher in 5.0 kg hydrogel ha −1 . Combination of three managements had a consequence of actual soil N loss, but gains in soil P and K after three cropping cycles.