Sulphur nutrition of rainfed groundnut in red and black soils of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at Oilseeds Research Station, Tindivanam during Rabi season of 2014 to evaluate the influence of graded levels gypsum (basal, split and top dress) @ 400kg/ha and different times of application as a source of sulphur on soil fertility and yield parameters of groundnut under rainfed condition. Four treatments were allotted in randomized block design with five replications. The treatments consisted of T1 - Control, T2 – 400 kg gypsum as basal, T3 – 400 kg gypsum (50% basal+ 50% top dress during 30-45 days as on when rain received), T4 – 400 kg gypsum as top dress (during 30-45 days as on when rain received). Groundnut TMV13 was used as a test variety. Results indicated that split application of gypsum 200 kg basal + 200 kg at as on when rain received between 30 to 50 days has been found to be most suitable technique for rainfed condition and it is also economically viable to the farmers who practicing rainfed cultivation of groundnut.