Drip fertigation and irrigation interval effects on growth, productivity, nutrient, and water economy in summer peanut

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of irrigationintervals and fertigation on growth, yield, and quality of peanut as well asan account of fertilizer and water savings under drip irrigation combinedwith fertigation. Pod and haulm yields and economics of peanut withapplication of irrigation water at I1,i.e. 4 day interval through drip (10 dayin surface irrigation) did not differ significantly compared with I2,i.e. 6 dayinterval through drip (15 day in surface irrigation). However, significantlyhigher kernel and oil yields were obtained at I1and also recorded higherpartial factor productivity (PFP). Our study showed that drip irrigation saved37.2% irrigation water over surface method. Fertigation at 75% Nitrogen &potassium (NK) through drip with 75% P in soil (F3) significantly improvedpod, haulm, kernel, and oil yields by 14.3%, 11.5%, 13.9%, and 12.3%,respectively, while net returns increased by INR 13,499 ha−1over 50% NKthrough drip with 50% P in soil (F2) and at par with others. Fertigation at50–100% NK with 50‒100% P in soil (F2to F4) could save 36.4–37.3%irrigation water over F1. Maximum PFP was recorded under F2