Effect of hydrogel on chlorophyll content and chlorophyll stability index of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under rainfed condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2018 at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Hiriyur, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga to study the effect of different levels of hydrogel, farm yard manure (FYM) and mulching on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll stability index of groundnut under rainfed condition. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with ten treatments replicated thrice. The results revealed that, treatment with application of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) along with hydrogel @ 4 kg ha-1 and FYM @ 10 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher Chlorophyll ‘a’, Chlorophyll ‘b’, total chlorophyll content (before and after boiling) and higher chlorophyll stability index at different growth stages. However, significantly lower CSI was noticed in the treatment with application of RDF alone.