Nutrient management in groundnut through farmers participatory approach.

On-farm demonstrations were conducted in 25 villages with an area of 20 hectares during Kharif season over a period of 5 years from 2008-09 to 2012-13. The results revealed that growth parameters like plant height, number of pods per plant, hundred pod weight, hundred kernel weight were improved with the use of soil test based fertilizer application compared to farmers practice. Pod yield of groundnut was increased by 11 per cent due to soil test based fertilizer application. A saving of Rs. 1,253/(Rupees one thousand two hundred and fifty three only) per hectare was realized due to soil test based fertilizer application alone besides increasing pod yield of groundnut. Gross returns were more with soil test based fertilizer application (Rs. 21,371/per hectare) compared to farmers practice (Rs. 19,105/per hectare). The net returns of groundnut from soil test based fertilizer application were higher (Rs. 6,918 ha) than farmers practice (Rs. 3,399/ha). Simultaneously Cost Benefit ratio was higher with soil test based fertilizer application compared to farmers practice because of lower cost of cultivation and improved yield. Fertilizer application to rainfed groundnut based on soil test values was found more promising in not only reducing cost of cultivation, but also improving the net returns to rainfed groundnut farmer.