Assessment of drought resistant and high yielding groundnut variety for Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu

Introduction

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops grown in India, often referred to as the "poor man's cashew" and "wonder nut" due to its high nutritional and economic value. It is an essential dietary component for vegetarian populations, providing 40-50% oil, 20-40% protein, and 10-20% carbohydrates, depending on the variety. In Tamil Nadu, groundnut occupies an estimated 3.47 lakh hectares, producing about 10.33 lakh tonnes annually, with an average productivity of 2,980 kg/ha. The state contributes approximately 8.64% to India's total groundnut production. In Sivaganga district, the crop is cultivated on about 1,670 hectares, yielding 3,835 tonnes (Season and Crop Report, 2023-24) [7] . Major blocks such as S. Pudur, Thirupattur, Kallal, Sivaganga, Kalaiyarkovil, and Thirupuvanam practice groundnut cultivation as a principal crop in their cropping systems. Apart from its role as a cash crop, groundnut serves multiple purposes-its haulm is a valuable livestock feed, while oilcake from processing is a protein-rich component of animal rations. Additionally, the crop contributes to soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. However, farmers in this region face several production challenges. Erratic rainfall and frequent dry spells during crop growth often lead to reduced yields, particularly when unsuitable varieties are grown under rainfed conditions. Limited awareness of drought-tolerant varieties, unbalanced fertilizer application, and inadequate knowledge of integrated pest and disease management further aggravate the problem. Drought during critical stages of crop growth severely impacts yield, although certain improved genotypes can sustain productivity through better physiological adaptations. Considering these constraints, the present study was conducted to identify a groundnut variety that combines high yield potential with drought tolerance, ensuring better adaptability, farmer acceptance, and profitability under the rainfed conditions of Sivaganga district.

Materials and Methods

The on-farm trial was carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kundrakudi, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu, during the rabi season of 2018-19. The study was implemented through a farmers' participatory approach involving seven farmers from Avanipatty village in Thirupattur block.

Sowing was scheduled according to the onset of the northeast monsoon and completed in December. The experimental fields consisted of red soils with a pH of 7.4. Soil analysis revealed low available nitrogen (165 kg/ha), medium phosphorus (22 kg/ha), and high potassium (405 kg/ha). Land preparation was done using a country plough, and seeds were manually sown behind the plough.

Five groundnut varieties were evaluated T1 -Dharani (TCGCS-1043) T2 -VRI 8 T3 -Kadiri 9 T4 -VRI 2 T5 -TMV 7

The experiment followed a randomized block design with five treatments and seven replications. Recommended agronomic practices for groundnut, as outlined in the TNAU Crop Production Guide, were strictly followed. Farmers were provided with quality seeds, seed treatment materials (Trichoderma viride), and TNAU Groundnut Rich @ 5 kg/ha. Training sessions and method demonstrations were organized to enhance adoption of improved production technologies. Data Collection and Parameters Observations were recorded on growth attributes (germination percentage, plant height, leaf area index), yield components (number of mature pods/plant, test weight, seeds per pod, shelling percentage, pod and haulm yield, oil content), physiological traits (relative water content and water use efficiency), and economics (gross return, total cost, net return, benefit-cost ratio). Relative water content (RWC) was estimated using the method of Barrs and Weatherley (1962). Fully expanded third leaves from the top were collected before irrigation cycles. Fresh weight (FW), turgid weight (TW), and dry weight (DW) were recorded, and RWC was calculated as: RWC (%) = FW-DWTW-DW×100RWC (\%) = \frac{FW -DW}{TW -DW} \times 100RWC(%)=TW-DWFW-DW×100 Water use efficiency (WUE) was computed following Sinclair et al. (1984) [8] :

WUE=YWRWUE = \frac{Y}{WR}WUE=WRY

Where Y is the crop yield (kg/ha) and WR is the total water used (mm).

Growth and yield data were obtained from five randomly selected plants per plot. Dry matter production (DMP) was measured from plant samples collected from designated sampling rows. Statistical analysis was carried out using AGRES software.

Results and Discussion 1. Growth attributes Significant variation was observed among the varieties for all measured growth parameters (Table 1). Dharani (TCGCS-1043) recorded the highest germination (91.4%), plant height (64.3 cm), leaf area index (2.85), and dry matter production (4,315 kg/ha). Early and uniform germination of Dharani likely contributed to an optimal plant stand, which in turn enhanced canopy development and photosynthetic efficiency, resulting in higher dry matter accumulation. Varieties with larger seeds or slower establishment, such as TMV 7 and VRI 2, exhibited comparatively lower growth metrics. The trend observed in the present study is consistent with earlier reports by Aruna et al. (2017) [1] , Kumari and Reddy (2019) [3] , and Sahaja Deva et al. (2022) [5] , who highlighted varietal differences in plant height and canopy development under drought conditions. Mensah and Okpere (2000) [4] also reported significant differences in growth among groundnut cultivars. [2] , who linked higher proline levels with better stress tolerance in groundnut.

Yield and economics

Dharani outperformed all other varieties in yield attributes, registering the highest number of mature pods per plant (17.5), maximum test weight (40.3 g), highest oil content (48.6%), and superior pod yield (18.5 q/ha). It also produced the maximum haulm yield (43.89 q/ha) and shelling percentage (74.5%). The lowest values for most yield parameters were recorded in VRI 2.

In economic terms, Dharani generated the highest gross returns (₹92,500/ha) and net returns (₹55,750/ha) with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.52. The advantage of Dharani is attributed to its genetic potential, better drought tolerance, lower susceptibility to root rot, and superior yield components. These results are in agreement with the findings of Saravanan et al. (2018) [6] and Kumari and Reddy (2019) [3] . Farmer feedback indicated that Dharani was the most preferred variety due to its yield stability, pod size, and adaptability under rainfed conditions. The variety was ranked first in preference, with 74% of farmers expressing willingness to continue its cultivation.

Conclusion

The findings of this study clearly indicate that the groundnut variety Dharani (TCGCS-1043) is well-suited for rabi season cultivation in the rainfed environments of Sivaganga District. The on-farm testing (OFT) not only validated its superior performance in terms of yield and profitability but also enhanced farmer awareness and adoption of improved varieties and management practices. Notable gains were observed in farmer knowledge, acceptance of the new technology, and satisfaction with the results. Considering its adaptability, drought tolerance, and economic advantage, Dharani is recommended for widespread cultivation across similar agro-climatic zones.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThe authors gratefully acknowledge Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) for providing institutional support and facilities for conducting this trial. Sincere thanks are also extended to the Director, ATARI Zone X, Hyderabad, for the financial assistance that enabled successful execution of the research.

References

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