Effect of Plant Spacing on Yield attributes, yield and Economics of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Varieties

Introduction

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), also known as peanut, goober, or monkey nut, valued for its protein-rich. It is an important oilseed crop and legume grown mainly for its edible seeds (Raju et al., 2022) [7] . India ranks among the leading producers of oilseeds globally and plays a significant role in the country's agricultural economy. Groundnut is particularly important for both food and oil production and is one of the most significant cash and food crops in the country. Owing to its high economic and nutritional value, groundnut is often referred to as "King of oilseeds" in India (Palsande et al., 2019; Kalaria & Gediya 2025) [8] . Globally, groundnut covers 315 lakh hectares with the production of 536 lakh tonnes with the productivity of 1701 kg/ha (FAOSTAT, 2020). In India, groundnut is grown over an area about 55.71 lakh ha with a production of 102.10 lakh tonnes and productivity of 1671 kg/ha under 2020-21(GOI, 2020). During 2019-20 total area coverage under groundnut in Uttar Pradesh 93822.00 hectares with a production of 88371 tonnes and the productivity 940 kg/ha (DAC, 2020). According to government fourth advance estimates groundnut production in 2021-22 is at 101.06 lakh tonnes.

Groundnut seeds contain 45-50% high-quality edible oil, 25-30% digestible protein, around 20% carbs and roughly 5% fiber and ash making them an important addition to human nutrition (Raju et al., 2022) [7] . Biological value of groundnut protein is among the highest among vegetable proteins and is comparable to that of casein. Except for vitamin B12, groundnut is a rich source of all B-complex vitamins and also provide vitamin E, riboflavin, and thiamine. Oil cake remaining after oil extraction serves as an excellent organic manure and livestock feed, containing approximately 7-8% nitrogen, 1.5% P₂O₅, and 1.5% K₂O. Being a legume, groundnut enhances soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, contributing about 12-40 kg N/ha and also acts as an effective cover crop in erosion-prone areas. Groundnut haulms are highly valued as nutritious fodder for livestock. Thus, crop serves a fourfold purpose as food, fodder, feed, and bio-fertiliser (Howlader et al., 2009) [9] . Spacing is a key agronomic and non-monetary management method that has a major impact on crop growth and production. Proper planting geometry ensures optimum plant population and efficient utilization of sunlight, water, nutrients, and other inputs. In groundnut, plants compete both above and below ground, and inappropriate spacing www.extensionjournal.com may lead to excessive competition, reduced branching, and poor pod development. Planting geometry varies with cultivar, soil type, and agro-climatic conditions, and therefore requires careful optimisation for specific regions (Waghmode et al., 2017) [10] . Appropriate spacing facilitates better canopy development, improved aeration, and enhanced photosynthate translocation, ultimately leading to higher yield and quality of groundnut.

Materials and Methods

A field experiment to study the "Effect of Plant Spacing on Yield attributes, yield and Economics of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Varieties" was conducted during the Kharif season of 2025-2026 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj. The site is geographically located at 25°24′42″N latitude, 81°50′56″E longitude, and an altitude of 98 meters above mean sea level. It lies about 5 km from Prayagraj city on the right bank of the Yamuna River, adjacent to the Prayagraj-Rewa Road. A composite soil sample was collected from a depth of 0-30 cm before initiating the experiment. The experimental plot size for each treatment was 3 × 3 meters with Treatment Combinations (T1) Kadiri 6 + 30 × 10 cm, (T2) Kadiri 1812 + 30 × 10 cm, (T3) TAG 24 + 30 × 10 cm, (T4) Kadiri 6 + 30 × 15 cm, (T5) Kadiri 1812 + 30 × 15 cm, (T6) TAG 24 + 30 × 15 cm, (T7) Kadiri 6 + 45 × 10 cm, (T8) Kadiri 1812 + 45 × 10 cm, (T9) TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm. The sample was air-dried, crushed, and analyzed for its physical and chemical properties. The soil was classified as sandy clay loam with a pH of 7.6. Organic carbon content was 0.69% (equivalent to 0.72% organic matter). Available nitrogen content was 152.7 kg/ha, phosphorus 10.4 kg/ha, and potassium 174.0 kg/ha. Sulfur content was 7.2 mg/kg, zinc 0.72 mg/kg, and boron 0.56 mg/kg. Significant and maximum number of pods/plant was recorded with the spacing (30 cm × 10 cm) which might be due to the sufficient space between rows which encouraged more plants and also lesser interplant competition for space, light, nutrient and moisture. Similar results were also reported by Chandrasekaran et al. (2007) [4] .

Results and Discussion

Number of Kernels per Pod:

The perusal of the data of number of kernels per pod was recorded at harvest, is presented in Table 1. The data reveals that there was significant effect among different treatments on number of kernels per pod. Significant and highest kernels per pod (2.20) was recorded in treatment 9 [TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm]. However, treatment 8 [Kadiri 1812 + 45 × 10 cm] (2.13) was statistically at par with Treatment (9) [TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm]. Significant and maximum number of kernels per pod was observed with optimum spacing which might be due to plant spacing with 25 cm × 25 cm provides favourable microclimate to crop for Optimal utilization of available moisture, nutrient and its early adoption leads to better partitioning of sugars to reproductive parts there by recording better Yield attributes, yield and Economics attributes. Similar results were also reported by Ram et al. (2014).

There was no significant difference among the treatments statistically, highest Seed index (55.09 g) was recorded in treatment 9 [TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm].

Kernel Yield (kg/ha) Significant and higher kernel yield (1747.55 kg/ha) was recorded in treatment 9 [TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm]. However, treatment 8 [Kadiri 1812 + 45 × 10 cm] (1626.50 kg/ha) was statistically at par with treatment 9 [TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm]. Significant and higher Seed Yield was observed with the spacing (30 cm × 10 cm) which might be due to the better spacing making water and nutrients more easily accessible to the plants. Plants were able to reach their full growth potential and produce a higher yield because to increased surface area exposed to air, better cultural practices, and more efficient weed management. These findings were also corroborated by Meena et al. (2011) [5] .

Haulm Yield (kg/ha) Significant and higher haulm yield (4106.37 kg/ha) was recorded in treatment 9 [TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm]. However, treatment 8 [Kadiri 1812 + 45 × 10 cm] (3931.90 kg/ha) was statistically at par with treatment 9 [TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm]. The significant and maximum haulm yield was observed in spacing (30 cm × 10 cm) which might be due to optimum row spacing have effectively utilized the growth resources, particularly solar radiation. Similar results were also agreed by Bhairappanavar et al.

There was significant difference among the treatments statistically highest harvest index (30.46 %) was recorded in treatment 5 [Kadiri 1812 + 30 × 15 cm]. Benefit cost ratio (B:C) Benefit cost ratio (2.94) was found to be higher in the treatment 9 [TAG 24 + 45 × 10 cm]. Maximum benefit-cost ratio was recorded with Plant geometry 45 × 10 cm observed maximum benefit cost ratio, this could be due to it allows adequate plant stand with sufficient aeration and sunlight interception, promoting higher tillering which improve the yield without proportionally increasing the cost of cultivation, thereby resulting in a higher economics return. www.extensionjournal.com

Economics

Conclusion

It was concluded that for obtaining higher yield components with better quality of groundnut in the treatment combination of spacing 45 × 10 cm along with variety TAG 24 was recorded significantly higher number of Pods/Plant, Kernels/Pod, Kernel Yield, and Benefit Cost Ratio as compared to other treatments. Since, the finding based on the research done in one season.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThe authors are thankful to Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Prayagraj, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and sciences, (U.P) India for providing necessary facilities to undertake the studies.

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