Productivity and Profitability of Summer Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) on Heavy Black Kyari Land of South Gujarat

A field experiment was conducted at RRRS, NAU, Vyara Dist. Tapi, Gujarat during summer 2008 to 2010 to find out an effective organic source of manures as conditioners for soil improvement along with chemical fertilizer in summer groundnut. The organic conditioners used are FYM@ 10t/ha, vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha and bio-compost @ 5t/ha along with 0, 50 and 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer (25-50-00 NPK kg/ha). Among organic conditioners all the sources were equally effective and have statistically similar effect on the growth and yield of groundnut as well as improvement in soil health in respect of organic carbon and nutrient content. However, economically bio compost @ 5t/ha was found most effective and gave higher return per rupee investment (Rs. 4.24). Nutrient supply through 100 per cent RDF recorded significantly highest groundnut pod and haulm yield and also recorded higher net return (61392 Rs/ha). There was no interaction effect observed between organic and in organic sources under study. This study concluded that bio-compost, FYM and vermi compost are equally effective for groundnut crop but FYM was found most economical source.