Optimizing Plant Spacing for Enhanced Photosynthetic Efficiency, Biomass Allocation, and Yield in Groundnut

Volume 14, Issue 55, 2025 (July – September)


Research Article
Optimizing Plant Spacing for Enhanced Photosynthetic Efficiency, Biomass Allocation, and Yield in Groundnut
Vibhav Kumar, Babu Lal Choudhary, Hoshiyar Singh, Mahaveer Prasad Ola, Subhash Saini
Keywords: crop geometry, plant spacing, varieties, growth parameters, yield attributes and economics
DOI:10.37273/chesci.cs232056085


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Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024 at the Research Farm of Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, to evaluate the effect of different crop geometries and varieties on the growth, yield, quality, and economics of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three crop geometries (30 × 10 cm, 45 × 10 cm, and 60 × 10 cm) and four varieties (GG 20, GJG 22, TG 37A, and RG 425), replicated thrice. Results revealed that plant spacing and variety significantly influenced all growth parameters, yield attributes, pod and haulm yield and economic returns. The widest spacing (60 × 10 cm) recorded the highest values for dry matter accumulation (458 g/m²), pod yield (2500 kg ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (2.43). Among the varieties, TG 37A emerged as the best performer with superior plant height, dry matter, yield components, pod yield (2480 kg ha⁻¹) and maximum net return (Rs. 69,000 ha⁻¹). The interaction between crop geometry and varieties was also found to be significant, highlighting the importance of selecting suitable spacing for specific varieties. The combination of TG 37A with 60 × 10 cm spacing proved to be the most effective for achieving higher productivity and profitability under semi-arid conditions. Thus, it can be concluded that TG 37A planted at 60 × 10 cm spacing is the optimal agronomic strategy for enhancing growth, yield, and economic returns of groundnut in Rajasthan and similar agro-climatic regions.


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