Integrating technologies in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) – A novel case study for enhancing its productivity, cost-effectiveness and quality aspects across varieties and growing seasons in Gujarat Plains of India

Tremendous yield gap exists between realization of actual vis-à-vis potential yield of groundnut crop, as research and development efforts have bridged this gap partially and not fully, as far as current trend of technology-adoption is concerned (in reference to matching the potential and farmer-level yields of the crop). Despite scientific advancements, the adoption of site-specific technologies remains inadequate due to scattered and incomplete information gathered on integrating diverse and versatile farming interventions/practices. Therefore, strategic action is inevitable in amalgamating these, many a time this being local/region-specific, technological integration under existing agro-ecology. In this context, our study aimed at enhancing groundnut yield through integration of available, time-tested and cost-effective Best (crop) Management Practices (BMPs) in semi-arid conditions of the Indian State of Gujarat during 2022 and 2023 spring-summer and rainy seasons to maximize realization of productive potential of the crop. The experiment evaluated three management practices as treatments, viz. ,1) Farmers' practice (control), 2) Progressive farmers' practices, and 3) Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices, using both (Habit groups of) Spanish Bunch (‘TG-37A’) and Virginia Bunch (‘KDG-128’) varieties. ICM included rhizobia, plant growth promoting rhizobia (PGPR), FYM, NPK, gypsum, and Trichoderma viride , while progressive farmers’ practices involved higher inputs of FYM, NPK, micronutrients, and plant protection measures. Farmers’ practice (control) is the practice adapted by a small and marginal farmer (< 2 hectares of arable land) under moderate resource-constraints condition. The study demonstrated that ICM practices had enhanced crop yields and higher economic returns under both the cultivars across the growing seasons. During spring-summer, pod yield for TG-37A increased from 2925 kg/ha in 2022 to 3182 kg/ha in 2023, while KDG-128 recorded higher yields of 3625 kg/ha and 3923 kg/ha, respectively during the same period. Varietal supremacy was evident, as KDG-128 consistently outperformed TG-37A, in respect of multiple attributes (net returns in the range of ₹1,82,453–1,97,079/ha, and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 4.41–4.68), compared to TG-37A (with net returns of ₹1,29,875–1,50,716/ha and BCR of 3.48–3.88). Similar trends were observed during rainy season, though with comparatively lower yields. Although moisture, oil, and protein contents in the kernels did not vary significantly among treatments, ICM plots had higher uptake of nutrients (N, P, and K) and superior quality attributes compared to other management practices. The study concluded that ICM practices could help in improving crop yield, nutrient uptake, and economic returns, and the responses were differed with plant types (Virginia bunch ‘KDG-128’ outperforming Spanish bunch ‘TG-37A’) and seasons (Higher productivity realized during spring-summer compared to rainy season), which further highlights the effectiveness of ICM in realizing stable groundnut productivity in the country as a whole (2260 kg/ha). PGPR - NutBoost emerged as a promising option for sustainable crop production, improved nutrient recovery, and long-term soil health enhancement. Future research needs should endeavour in integrating the best and popular genotype under seed-chain with compatible BMPs balancing specific agroecological constraints for realization of genetic potential yield of the crop.