Groundnut or peanut is an important crop that is grown for its oil-rich seeds. It is a crop that requires proper nutrition to achieve better yield. Fertilizers are an essential input in groundnut cultivation to enhance the soil fertility and plant growth. However, the amount and type of fertilizer required for groundnut crop depend on several factors such as soil fertility, soil type, climatic conditions, variety, and crop management practices. Here are the fertilizer doses recommended for groundnut crop:
1. Nitrogen (N): Groundnut is a leguminous crop that can fix atmospheric nitrogen through its root nodules. Hence, the crop requires a limited amount of nitrogen supplementation. However, if the soil nitrogen level is low, a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be applied, usually around 20-30 kg N per hectare as basal dose.
2. Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is an essential nutrient that promotes root development and enhances flowering and seed formation. The recommended dose of P is 40-60 kg per hectare as basal dose at the time of sowing.
3. Potassium (K): Potassium plays a critical role in enhancing the stress tolerance of plants and improving the yield quality. The commonly recommended rate of K for groundnut crop is 20-30 kg per hectare as basal dose.
4. Sulphur (S): Sulphur is required in the formation of oil and protein in groundnut seeds. A dose of 10-15 kg S per hectare is recommended as basal dose.
5. Zinc (Zn): Zinc is one of the essential micronutrients required for plant growth, and its deficiency can cause yield losses in groundnut. A dose of 5-10 kg Zn per hectare can be applied as basal dose.
It is essential to apply fertilizers based on the nutrient status of the soil and the specific needs of the crop. Overapplication of fertilizers can result in environmental and health hazards and may also decrease the quality of crops. It is also essential to follow good agricultural practices like maintaining the proper spacing, timely irrigation, weed control, and disease management to ensure higher yields. By following proper fertilizer doses and crop management practices, we can achieve better yield with high-quality groundnut seeds.