Screening of Groundnut Genotypes for Sulphur Utilization Potential
R. Vinothini *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, TNAU, Coimbatore, India and Department of Plant Biotechnology, TNAU, Coimbatore, India.
R. K. Kaleeswari
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, TNAU, Coimbatore, India and Department of Plant Biotechnology, TNAU, Coimbatore, India.
D. Selvi
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, TNAU, Coimbatore, India and Department of Plant Biotechnology, TNAU, Coimbatore, India.
D. Uma
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, TNAU, Coimbatore, India and Department of Plant Biotechnology, TNAU, Coimbatore, India.
E. Kokila Devi
Department of Plant Biotechnology, TNAU, Coimbatore, India and Department of Bio-chemistry, TNAU, Coimbatore, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A microplot experiment was conducted on a medium black soil for screening of groundnut genotypes for improved S utilization. From this experiment four different S sources viz., Gypsum, SSP, FeSO4, and ZnSO4, were applied at four levels (S @ 0, 20, 30, and 40 kg ha-1). The results revealed that the addition of 40 kg S ha-1 as FeSO4 substantially increased the dry matter production and sulphur uptake irrespective of groundnut genotypes. Sulphur application in the form of SSP enhanced the root length and number of pods per plant. Groundnut genotypes CO7, VRI 8, and TMV 14 were categorized as efficient S utilizers, while BSR 2 and ALR 3 were recorded to be inefficient S utilizers.
Keywords: Gypsum, FeSO4, black soil and groundnut genotypes