Influence of water stress and benzyl adenine imposed at various growth stages on yield of groundnut

Abstract

Transient water deficit stress was imposed on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) at different phenophases
for different durations, water stress at vegetative stag (20 days after sowing), pegging stage (45 days
after sowing) and at pod development stage (65 days after sowing). Stress was imposed for 20 days.
Transient water deficit stress at all phenophase resulted decline in pod weight per plant, pod yield,
Shelling percentage, haulm yield and biological yield. The maximum haulm yield and biological yield
was recorded in cv. GG-2. The haulm yield and biological yield were declined under drought conditions
at all crop growth stages. The highest haulm yield and biological yield was observed in benzyl adenine
soaked seed followed by drought conditions at vegetative stage. Greater harvest index was observed at
pegging and pod development stage under drought conditions. Benzyl adenine soaked seed treatment
alone reduced the harvest index as compared to control, while, benzyl adenine followed by drought at
vegetative stage significantly improved the harvest index. Benzyl adenine soaking seed treatment
significantly improved the pod yield, haulm yield and biological yield under drought conditions and
greater positive effect of benzyl adenine was recorded under drought conditions at vegetative stage
followed by pod development and pegging stage.