Yield losses in groundnut due to micronutrient deficiencies in calcareous soils of India

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to determine the extent of yield losses in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) due to the deficiencies of various micronutrients, appearing as chlorosis of leaves, in calcareous soils of India. The crop was raised by providing all the macro- and the micro-nutrients and also by withholding individual micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B or Mo), in calcareous soils, and compared for determining the effect of individual micronutrient. Severe chlorosis was observed in the unfertilised plots while it was relatively less severe in the plots that received only macronutrients and chlorosis was not seen at all in the plots that received all the macro- and the micro-nutrients. Application of micronutrients successfully prevented occurrence of chlorosis and increased chlorophyll content, pod yield and micronutrient uptake. The three years of experimentation showed that application of macro- as well as micro-nutrients caused increase in pod yield by 60% of which 17% could be ascribed to the micronutrients. Further, considerable decrease in pod yield occurs even if a single micronutrient is omitted. On an average, 15, 12, 16, 13, 19, and 17% yield losses could be attributed to the deficiencies of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, and Mo, respectively. Hence for maximum realization of yield potential of the crop, in calcareous soils, application of micronutrients may be incorporated in the package of practices for cultivation of groundnut.