Effect of dolomite on productivity of groundnut and soil properties in alfisols

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka, underrainfed conditions during kharif 2019. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design consisting of eighttreatments (Control, Gypsum @ 500 kg ha-1, Dolomite @ 250 kg ha-1, Dolomite @ 500 kg ha-1, Dolomite @ 750 kg ha-1,Cured dolomite with FYM at the rate of 250 kg ha-1, Cured dolomite with FYM @ 500 kg ha-1, Cured dolomite with FYM@ 750 kg ha-1) and replicated thrice. The results of the experiment showed that application of cured dolomite with FYM atthe rate of 750 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher kernel yield (1,984 kg ha-1), which was 31.7 per cent higher than thecontrol (1,506 kg ha-1) and numerically higher pod yield (2,689 kg ha-1) which was 20.2 per cent higher than the control(2,237 kg ha-1) and found on par with the application of cured dolomite with FYM at the rate of 500 kg ha-1, dolomite at therate of 750 kg ha-1and dolomite at the rate of 500 kg ha-1. Higher pH (6.41) and EC (0.237 dS m-1) were recorded withapplication of dolomite at the rate of 750 kg ha-1, whereas significantly higher exchangeable calcium and magnesium contentin the soil after harvest of groundnut (1.61 and 1.17 (cmol (p+) kg-1) were recorded with the application of cured dolomitewith FYM at the rate of 750 kg ha-1.