Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate influence of land configuration on crop yield of kharif Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) based cropping sequence under rainfed upland situation.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications comprising twelve treatment combination with four main plots of land configuration practices i.e. M1: BBF 90cm × 30cm, M2: BBF 120cm × 30cm, M3: BBF 150cm × 30cm, M4: Flatbed and three Sub plots of crop sequence i.e. C1:Kharif groundnut-toria, C2:Kharif groundnut-pea, C3: Kharif groundnut- rajmah. Treatment with the bed size BBF 150cm × 30cm recorded the maximum values of yield attributing parameters viz. number of branches plant^-1, number of pod plant^-1, pod yield (33.89 qha^-) and stover yield (72.73 qha^-) and harvest index (31.80 %) in groundnut. The flatbed recorded the lowest pod yield (29.06qha^-), stover yield (67.22qha^-) and harvest index (30.18%) in groundnut.

Results: Results revealed that treatment BBF 150cm x 30cm had the highest groundnut equivalent yield compared to the other treatments. The system duration and land utilization index did not differ significantly amongst land configuration methods. The BBF 150cm x 30cm recorded significantly higher production efficiency and rain water productivity of the system. The highest cultivation cost was recorded under BBF 90cm x 30cmw hereas gross return, net return, B:C ratio and economic efficiency were recorded under BBF 150cm x 30 cm.

Conclusion: It was concluded that groundnut-rajmah was best performing crop sequence in terms of system yield, production efficiency, and economic return, followed by the groundnut-pea sequence.

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