2025, Vol. 8, Issue 3, Part E

author(s)
Himangshu Das, Parshuram Sial, Bibhuti Bhusan Dalei, and Sajeeb Kumar Biswasi

abstract
Groundnut is one of the most important oilseed crop grown in different parts of India and suitable sowing time is an important determinant for optimum production. So, a field experiment was conducted at Regional Research & Technology Transfer Sub-Station (OUAT), Malkangiri, Odisha during rabi season of 2020-21 to 2022-23 to find out suitable date of sowing for groundnut in South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with eight different sowing dates (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th week of December, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th week of January). Based on pooled analysis, groundnut sown in 1^st week of December gave taller plant stature (54.59 cm) followed by crop sown in 2^nd week of December (54.57 cm). Same trends were also followed for number of branches plant^-1. Significantly highest numbers of pods plant^-1 (18.96) was recorded when groundnut sown in 1^st week of December followed by 2^nd week of December (18.29) and groundnut sown in 4^th week of January recorded least value (14.07). Highest number of kernels pod^-1 of 2.00 was recorded when groundnut sown in 1^st and 2^nd week of December. There was no statistical variation observed for 100 kernels weight. However, highest 100 kernels weight (30.05 g) obtained with crop sown in 1^st week of December followed by 2^nd week of December (30.04 g). Highest pod yield obtained with groundnut sown in 1^st week of December (2032 kg ha^-1) followed by crop sown in 2^nd week of December (2015 kg ha^-1). First two dates of sowing was statistically similar for all growth and yield attributes as well as for pod yield of groundnut. Delay in sowing resulted in poor performance for all studied characters. Highest net return (Rs. 53459 ha^-1) and B: C ratio (1.90) was obtained when crop sown in 1^st week of December followed by 2^nd week of December (Net return- Rs. 52471 ha^-1; B: C ratio- 1.88) and both have almost similar economic return. So, sowing of groundnut should be done early in 1^st to 2^nd week of December for obtaining higher yield and economic return in rabi season for experimental region.