RESPONSE OF WINTER SEASON GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA) TO METHODS OF SOWING AND SOURCES OF SULFUR

A field experiment was carried out during winter season (rabi) of 1992 -93 and 1993-94 to study the effect of methods of sowing and sources o f sulphur on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The methods of sowing in cluded bed and furrow, behind the plough. Flat bed and groundnut plant er and the sources of sulphur were no sulphur, phosphogypsum @ 30 kg s iha, elemental sulphur @ 30 kg S/ka and single superphosphate @ 30 kg S/ha. Bed and furrow method of sowing recorded significantly higher po d yield by 25.18 q/ha and was 13.9 and 4% higher over behind the ploug h, groundnut planter and flat bed respectively. Single superphosphate increased in the yield by 2, 5 and 20%;, over phosphogypsum, elemental sulphur and no sulphur respectively. The oil content in pod, sulphur content in kernel, shell and haulm were significantly higher in bed an d furrow method. Use of phosphogypsum increased the oil and sulphur co ntent significantly compared to other sources. The benefit per rupee i nvestment was highest from bed and furrow method (2.27 and single supe rphosphate (2.40).