Weather, crop interaction and land resource based management for groundnut crop in Shirur sub-watershed of Kundgol taluk in Dharwad district of Northern Karnataka

Abstract

Weather plays a key role in determining groundnut productivity under rainfed conditions, as rainfall distribution,temperature, humidity, soil moisture and radiation strongly influence crop growth, pod development and yield stability. The present study assessed the effect of Land Resource Inventory (LRI)-based interventions on groundnut yield in the Shirur sub-watershed of Dharwad district, Karnataka, under four treatments: T1 (LRI farmers with cards, training andinputs), T2 (LRI farmers with cards and training), T3 (LRI farmers with cards only) and T4 (non-LRI farmers, control). Results showed that T1 outperformed all treatments, recording the highest pod yield (36.25 q/ha), kernel weight (116.90 g/plant) and total dry matter (56.00 g/plant), supported by favourable soil moisture and improved management. T2and T3 recorded moderate yields (27.21 and 28.57 q/ha), reflecting partial benefits of training and advisories. In contrast, T4produced the lowest yield (24.32 q/ha) due to poor management and terminal drought stress, which restricted kernel filling. T-test analysis revealed significant differences for most parameters, confirming the role of LRI interventions. Non-significantresults for some traits indicated genetic buffering and environmental stability. Overall, LRI-based management enhancedadaptation to weather, stabilised yields and improved resilience of groundnut farming in semi-arid region of NorthernKarnataka.