Optimizing groundnut cultivation through integrated crop management enhances seasonal yields and economic returns

Abstract Given study aimed at enhancing groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity through the integration of available, time-tested and cost-effective Best Management Practices (BMPs) under the semi-arid conditions of Gujarat, India during the 2022 and 2023 spring-summer and rainy seasons. A field experiment evaluated three management practices for optimizing productivity: (1) Farmers’ Practice (Control), (2) Progressive Farmers’ Practice, and (3) Integrated Crop Management (ICM) Practice across two contrasting seasons (spring-summer and rainy) and cultivars (Spanish Bunch ‘TG-37A’ and Virginia Bunch ‘KDG-128’). The results showed that ICM significantly enhanced crop performance and economic returns across both cultivars and seasons. During spring-summer season, pod yield under ICM reached 3182 kg/ha for ‘TG-37A’ (with a mean yield of 3055 kg/ha) and 3923 kg/ha for ‘KDG-128’ (with a mean yield of 3774 kg/ha). The cultivar ‘KDG-128’ consistently outperformed ‘TG-37A’, recording net returns of ₹1,82,453–1,97,079/ha with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 4.41–4.68. Similar trends were observed during the rainy season, although absolute yields were lower. Compared with Farmers’ Practice, ICM consistently produced higher pod yields and net returns across both varieties and seasons. Under ICM, pod yields pooled over two years increased to 3055 and 2037 kg/ha in ‘TG-37A’ and 3774 and 2911 kg/ha in ‘KDG-128’ during the spring-summer and rainy seasons, respectively representing yield gains of 18.5–19.7%. Similarly, net returns increased to ₹1,40,296 and ₹91,927/ha for ‘TG-37A’ and ₹1,89,766 and ₹1,47,355/ha for ‘KDG-128’during the above seasons, respectively, reflecting 21.4–23.8% higher profitability than Farmers’ Practice. Major nutrients’ uptake (N, P, and K) also increased under ICM, while kernel quality parameters showed no significant variation among treatments. The study concluded that integrated effect of complete ICM practices effectively improved yield, nutrient uptake and economic returns, with crop responses varying according to cultivar and season. These findings indicate the potential of integrated crop management strategies for optimizing groundnut productivity under Gujarat plains of India.