Slag-Based Gypsum as a Source of Sulphur, Calcium and Silicon and Its Effect on Soil Fertility and Yield and Quality of Groundnut in Southern India

Abstract

Slag-based gypsum (SBG) is a unique synthetic gypsum which is alkaline in nature, besides calcium (Ca) and sulphur (S); it contains appreciable amounts of iron (Fe), silicon (Si), phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn). In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of SBG as a source of S, Ca and Si for groundnut in comparison with natural gypsum (NG). The effect of different levels and time of application of SBG on soil fertility and yield and quality of groundnut were also studied. Field experiments were conducted with five treatments which includes two levels of SBG (500 and 625 kg ha −1) applied as basal and basal + split and one level of NG (500 kg ha −1) applied as basal. Basal and basal + split applications of SBG significantly increased the pod and haulm yield of groundnut, pH, electrical conductivity and plant-available nutrients in post-harvest soil. However, N:S ratio, kernel and protein yield and oil content did not vary with SBG application. Applied S, Ca and Si as SBG and their uptake were positively correlated with plant-available S, Ca and Si and pod, oil and protein yield of groundnut, respectively. Basal and basal + split applications of SBG resulted in a similar effect on soil fertility and yield and quality of groundnut. Findings from this study show that SBG can be a potential alternative for NG as a source of S, Ca and Si for groundnut production. Among the treatments, basal and basal + split applications of 625 kg SBG ha −1 substantially improved the fertility of soils and yield and quality of groundnut.

Zinc Fertilizer Applications to Ocimum basilicum L. under Water Stress: Changes in the Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Content, Essential Oil Compounds and Morphological Properties

“…Nutritional supplementation to the soil facilitates the uptake of mineral elements by plants, and it is a known fact that these nutrients affect important biochemical reactions (photosynthesis, enzyme activity, protein synthesis, etc.) in plants (Prakash et al, 2020;Maitra et al, 2022). According to the findings, water stress generally prevented nutrient uptake in all applications.…”

Judicial nutrient management for sustainable production of groundnut: A Review

“…Sakarvadia et al, (2019) [99] found that among different doses of potassium viz, 0, 25, 50, and 75 kg ha -1 , as basal and as well as split, 50 kg ha -1 potassium in split application helps to opt maximum oil content (50.58%) which is 2.38% more than control (48.2%). Prakash et al, (2020) [91] observed in their experiment that among different sources viz, natural gypsum 500 kg ha -1 and Slag Based Gypsum (SBG) with full and split doses (625,500) kg ha -1 , split dose of 625 kg ha -1 (312.5+312) kg ha -1 shows highest amount of oil content (46.88%) and 46.12% as lowest for 500kg ha -1 (250+250 kg ha -1 ) split in the area of Baljigapade.…”