System-Based Integrated Nutrient Management Improves Productivity, Profitability, Energy Use Efficiency and Soil Quality in Peanut-Wheat Cropping Sequence in Light Black Soils

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), being an energy-rich crop, is sensitive to nutrient deficiencies and a scavenger of nutrients from the soil. Optimum and integrated nutrient management (INM) improves productivity and the quality of seeds. The objective of this study was to identify suitable system-based INM (S-INM) options for peanut-wheat cropping sequence in the Saurashtra region of India. Results showed that peanut growth, yield attributing parameters, pod, and haulm yield, and NPK uptake were higher when 100% recommended fertilizer doses (RDFs) + farmyard manure (FYM) @5 t/ha + plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were applied. However, application of 75% RDFs + FYM @5 t/ha + PGPR in peanut and 100% RDF in wheat was most effective to improve growth and yield attributes, yields and nutrient uptake by wheat. Further, this FYM- and PGPR-amended treatment was found to increase system productivity by 15.3 and 17.1%, system profitability by 17.0 and 22.6%, and net energy gain by 10.0 and 17.9% over the reference treatment and over farmers' practice (FF), respectively. This sustainable system approach will be helpful for agronomists and farmers in identifying and practicing suitable field practices with further study on the residual effect of organic manures on the peanut-wheat based cropping system in the western region of India with light black soils.

Automated summary

The study found that applying 100% recommended fertilizer doses, farmyard manure, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to peanuts in the peanut-wheat cropping system improved growth, yield, and nutrient uptake. However, applying 75% recommended fertilizer doses, farmyard manure, and PGPR to peanuts and 100% recommended fertilizer doses to wheat was the most effective approach. This sustainable system approach increased system productivity, profitability, and net energy gain, making it beneficial for agronomists and farmers.