Impact on the performance of Groundnut CO7 under drought situation in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil seed crop mainly grown under rainfed situation. Due to erratic rainfall and frequent drought during the crop growth period, groundnut yields are generally low and unstable under rainfed conditions. Drought during critical crop growth stages is crucial for yield in groundnut varieties. But tolerant genotypes may give better yield due to maintenance of physiological responses that were triggered during drought. Field experiment was conducted during kharif 2015 at farmers field through front line demonstration trials by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vamban, Pudukkottai to study the impact of drought tolerant groundnut CO7 in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that on an average of ten different locations, the groundnut CO7 recorded the higher plant height of 50.10 cm, no. of pods per plant 38.99, higher pod yield of 2055 kg ha-1 and benefit cost ratio was higher 2.27 than groundnut VRI 2. Moreover 349 and 245 kg ha-1, 10.66, Rs.17,466 ha-1 and 5.51 of Extension gap, technology gap additional return and Incremental cost benefit ratio respectively due to adaption of drought resistant groundnut CO7 with improved production technology than farmers practice, hence the farmers are interested to adopt this variety to get more income in Pudukkottai district.