Effect of excess irrigation and iron and sulphur fertilizers on the chlorosis, dry matter production, yield and nutrient uptake by groundnut in calcareous soil

Abstract

In medium black calcareous soil, the chlorosis in groundnut leaves due to iron and sulphur deficiencies appeared 10 to 15 days after emergence (DAE) and showed maximum intensity in between 30 to 70 DAE. The excess irrigation (irrigation at -0.3 bar) enhanced chlorosis causing reductions in chlorophyll contents in leaves, plant height, dry matter production, pod and haulm yields and nutrient uptake by groundnut. The application of iron and sulphur fertilizers caused regreening of chlorotic leaves and increased all these parameters significantly. The pod yield reduction due to chlorosis was 15.9 to 32.3%. Application of iron sulphate (3 Kg Fe ha super(-1)), iron citrate (3 Kg Fe ha super(-1)) and elemental sulphur (20 Kg S ha super(-1)), 50% in the soil followed by three foliar sprays of 0.5% aqueous solution increased 18.9 to 24.5, 12.4 to 19.2 and 7.4 to 15.2% pod yield, respectively. Among these treatments iron.