Tillage and Nutrient Management in Groundnut

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) also known as peanut and earthnut, is an important oilseed crop largely grown by resource poor smallholder farmers under rainfed conditions. These farmers employ different tillage practices in the production of the crop. Many farmers perform tillage operations without being aware of the effect of these operations on soil physical properties and crop responses. It is carried out mainly to loosen the upper layer of soil, to mix the soil with fertilizer and organic residues, to control weeds, and to create a suitable seedbed for germination and plant growth. The theme of nutrient management in integrated way for increasing the soil fertility is gaining ground throughout the world in recent years due to high cost of fertilizer and reduced availability of organic manures. Modern tillage and integrated nutrient management practices may affect soil fertility and productivity of groundnut due to different soil conditions created and fulfills the nutrient requirement of crop. The book contains the information on the effect of tillage and integrated nutrient management practices on soil fertility and productivity of groundnut under rainfed conditions.