Response of indigenous low-cost smart fertigation system on yield and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The precise application of nutrients and water in groundnuts ensures optimal plant growth, enhances yield and quality and minimizes resource wastage. This approach promotes sustainable farming by enhancing nutrient use efficiency and conserving water. Field experiments were conducted in two locations to evaluate the effectiveness of automated drip irrigation and a low-cost smart drip fertigation system on groundnut growth, yield and quality. The study was conducted at two locations: (i) a farmer's field in Kanjipatti village, Kalaiyarkoil block, Sivagangai district during the rabi 2023 season and (ii) the central farm at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai district, during summer 2024 in Tamil Nadu. Field trials were conducted using a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments consisted of three drip irrigation methods, namely, conventional drip irrigation (M1), time-based automated drip irrigation (M2) and sensor-based automated drip irrigation (M3), whereas five drip fertigation treatments, viz., fertigation of 75 % RDF (F1), fertigation of 100 % RDF (F2), STCR based drip fertigation (F3), Sensor-based fertigation at 75 % NPK Level (F4) and Sensor based fertigation at 100 % NPK Level (F5) were imposed in the subplot. Significantly higher yield attributes, yield and quality parameters were recorded in the treatment with sensor-based automated drip irrigation combined with sensor-based fertigation at 100 % NPK Level (M3F5). Implementing sensor-based automated drip fertigation to groundnut cultivation enhanced yield and reduced water and fertilizer inputs while improving groundnut quality.