Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on growth and yield of groundnut

Abstract:

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of India's most important oilseed crops, yet its yield potential is seldom realised because soil-applied micronutrients often remain unavailable in calcareous or high-pH soils. This research examined the effect of foliar sprays of zinc sulphate (0.5%), ferrous sulphate (0.5%), borax (0.2%), and their combination on growth and yield of groundnut (cv. Konkan Gaurav) at Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Agricultural University, Dapoli, Maharashtra, during Kharif 2021. A randomised block design with seven treatments and three replications was used. Two foliar applications were given at 30 and 50 days after sowing. The combined Zn+Fe+B treatment produced the tallest plants (48.3 cm), highest number of branches per plant (8.7), and greatest pod yield (2,316 kg/ha) — an increase of 27.4% over the untreated control (1,818 kg/ha). Kernel yield and shelling percentage followed the same trend. Among single-nutrient sprays, ZnSO₄ performed best, raising pod yield by 18.6%. Foliar boron improved flower retention by 14.2% relative to control. These results indicate that a combined Zn+Fe+B foliar spray at flowering and pegging stages can meaningfully boost groundnut productivity in the lateritic soils of the Konkan coast.