Response studies of nano-sulphur on nutrient uptake, sulphur fractions, yield and quality parameters of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

An attempt was made to study the response of nano-sulfur in groundnut using four levels of nano-sulfur (NS) and conventional sulfur (CS) fertilizers in a completely randomized block design and replicated thrice. The results indicated that application of nano-sulfur @ 30 kg S ha(-1) recorded 0.76 mg root sulfur uptake plant(-1), 40.5 mg shoot sulfur uptake plant(-1), 14.9 mg kernel sulfur uptake plant(-1), and 3.09 mg shell sulfur uptake plant(-1) higher in comparison to conventional sulfur @ 40 kg S ha(-1) recorded root, shoot, kernel and shell sulfur uptake of 0.53, 35.8, 11.4 and 2.46 mg plant(-1), respectively. The highest pod yield was recorded at 12.4 g plant(-1) with nano-sulfur application @ 30 kg S ha(-1) when compared to conventional sulfur @ 40 kg S ha(-1) registered at 10.7 g plant(-1). Quality parameters such as oil, crude protein, methionine, cysteine, and total free amino acid content were recorded highest under nano-sulfur application @ 30 kg S ha(-1) i.e. 48.3%, 27.2%, 3.44 mg g (-1), 1.89 mg g(-1) and 46.3 mg g(-1) respectively whereas conventional sulfur @ same set of sulfur treatment observed (46.7% oil, 25.1% crude protein, 3.16 mg methionine g(-1), 1.75 mg cysteine g(-1), and 39.6 mg total free amino acids g(-1). Finally, the results concluded that the application of nano-S @ 30 kg S ha(-1) is sufficient to attain higher sulfur use efficiency with a reduction of sulfur fertilizer to the tune of 25% besides augmenting the soil sulfur reserve without harming the environment.