Impact of Sowing Dates, Planting Geometry and Fertility Levels on Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the Foothill Conditions of Nagaland

Background: Groundnut yields in India have remained low due to factors like low-yielding varieties, inadequate plant populations, poor soil fertility and water management; while lower nitrogen fertilizer doses may suffice, adequate phosphorus and potassium are essential for higher yields. Improved varieties can boost yields by about 20% and gypsum enhances seedling vigour, yield and quality. Optimizing plant density, particularly by reducing row spacing, promotes better growth and increased pod formation. These factors highlight the need to study sowing dates, planting geometry and fertility levels for groundnut in Nagaland’s foothill conditions, where they could significantly influence crop productivity. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to focus on to look at the effects of planting dates, planting geometry and fertility levels on groundnut in Nagaland’s special foothill settings, as these factors may have a big impact on crop productivity. Result: The study demonstrates that optimizing sowing date, fertility levels and planting geometry significantly enhances groundnut productivity under the foothill conditions of Nagaland. Among the tested treatments, early sowing on June 20th, 125% RDF and a planting geometry of 50 cm x 10 cm resulted in the highest seed yield (1.69 t ha-¹), tallest plants (33.07 cm) and improved soil nutrient uptake (available nitrogen: 250 kg ha-¹, phosphorus: 20.37 kg ha-¹, potassium: 139.25 kg ha-¹). These findings highlight the crucial role of timing, nutrient management and spatial arrangement in maximizing crop growth, resource efficiency and yield potential. By adopting these optimized agronomic practices, farmers in the region can significantly improve groundnut production, contributing to better food security and agricultural sustainability.