Zinc and Boron Application on Groundnut Yield and Nutrient Uptake in Coastal Sandy Soils

In determining the yield and quality of groundnut, the role of Zn and B is much pronounced. Restricted availability of these nutrients in sandy soil greatly impairs the yield of groundnut. A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of micronutrients viz., Zn and B on the yield and nutrients uptake by groundnut in coastal sandy soil. The experiment was carried out in a farmer's field at Ponnanthittu village in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu during December-March 2007. The initial fertility status of experimental soil was pH 8.39, EC-1.61 dSm^-1, organic carbon 2.7g kg^-1 and represented low status of micronutrients. The various treatments included were T₁- Control, T₂- 100% NPK, T₃- 150% NPK, T₄- 150% NPK + ZnSO₄ @ 30 kg ha^-1, T₅- 150% NPK + Borax @15 kg ha^-1, T₆- 150% NPK + ZnSO₄ @ 30 kg ha^-1 + Borax @15 kg ha^-1 along with composted coirpith @ 12.5 t ha^-1. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications, using groundnut variety VRI 2 as test crop. The results clearly indicated that, T₆- 150% NPK + ZnSO₄ @ 30 kg ha^-1 + Borax @ 15 kg ha^-1 along with composted coirpith application significantly increased the yield and nutrients uptake by groundnut. This treatment recorded the highest pod yield of 2466 kg ha^-1 and haulm yield of 3354 kg ha^-1 which represented 31.31 and 25.95 per cent increased in pod and haulm yield, respectively over 100 per cent NPK application.