Effect of irrigation and phosphorus levels on growth and yield of Rabi groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field study was carried out to study the growth and yield of Rabi groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as influenced by different irrigation schedules and phosphorus levels at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, during Rabi 2024-25. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three irrigation schedules (IW: CPE ratios of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) as main plots and five phosphorus levels (30 kg P₂O₅ ha^-¹, 40 kg P₂O₅ ha^-¹, 30 kg P₂O₅ ha^-¹ + seed treatment with PSB @ 30 g kg^-¹ seed, 40 kg P₂O₅ ha^-¹ + seed treatment with PSB @ 30 g kg^-¹ seed and STCR-based P₂O₅ recommendation) as subplots, replicated thrice. Among irrigation schedules, IW: CPE ratio of 1.0 recorded significantly higher plant height, dry matter production, pod yield (2473 kg ha^-¹) and kernel yield (1604 kg ha^-¹) and was on par with IW: CPE ratio of 0.8. Among phosphorus levels, application of 40 kg P₂O₅ ha^-¹ + PSB @ 30 g kg^-¹ produced significantly higher plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, pod yield (2624 kg ha^-¹) and kernel yield (1711 kg ha^-¹) and was statistically comparable with 40 kg P₂O₅ ha^-¹ alone. Interaction effects between irrigation schedules and phosphorus levels were not significant for any growth or yield parameter.