Strategies for Improving Resilience against Abiotic Stresses in Summer Groundnut
Gajera J. B. *
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, 362001, India.
Kachhadiya S. P.
Main Oilseeds Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.
Rajani A. V.
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, 362001, India.
Hirapara K. V.
ICAR- DGR, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study was conducted during the summer of 2022 and 2023 at the Instructional farm of Junagadh Agricultural University, India, to assess various irrigation techniques (drip and surface irrigation), residue mulching and stress-mitigating chemicals (salicylic acid, potassium nitrate, and kaolin) in combating environmental stress on summer groundnut. The findings indicated that the implementation of drip irrigation at a 0.8 PEF led to enhanced growth, yield, physiological traits, water use efficiency and economics of summer groundnut led to enhanced soil water loss. The mulch rate of 5 t ha-1 was determined to be the most effective for growth, yield, physiological traits, water use efficiency and economics. Different chemical compounds for reducing stress also had a significant impact on these factors. During this study, combining drip irrigation at 0.8 PEF, mulching with 5 t ha-1 of residue and applying salicylic acid (foliar) at 100 ppm during 45 and 60 days after sowing enhanced the growth, yield and physiological traits, water use efficiency and economics of summer groundnut in areas with limited irrigation.
Keywords: Abiotic stress, irrigation, residue mulching, stress mitigation chemicals