Aathithyan et al. (2025) Response of indigenous low cost smart fertigation system on growth, physiology, root characters and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Identification

• Journal: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-10-17
• Authors: C Aathithyan, A Gurusamy, E. Subramanian, G. Hemalatha, K. Kumutha, Bhakiyathu Saliha B, S Kamalesh
• DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1566364

Research Groups

• Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute (AC&RI), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
• ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
• Department of Food Policy and Public Health Nutrition, Community Science College and Research Institute (CSC&RI), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
• Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural College and Research Institute (AC&RI), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
• Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu, India
• Department of Information Technology, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Short Summary

This study evaluated an indigenous low-cost smart fertigation system for groundnut, finding that sensor-based automated drip irrigation combined with sensor-based fertigation at 100% NPK significantly enhanced growth, physiological parameters, root characteristics, and yield while reducing water and fertilizer use.

Objective

• To evaluate the effects of an indigenous low-cost sensor-based automated drip fertigation system on the growth, physiological parameters, root characteristics, and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.).
• Principal Hypothesis: This indigenous low-cost smart fertigation system will significantly improve groundnut productivity and resource-use efficiency compared to conventional methods, thereby providing a sustainable and scalable solution for small and marginal farmers.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale:
  • Location I: Farmer’s field at Kanjipatti village, Kalaiyarkoil block, Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu, India. Soil texture: red sandy clay loam. Initial soil nutrients: 373 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen, 20.5 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus, 275 kg ha⁻¹ potassium.
  • Location II: Central farm, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. Soil texture: sandy clay loam. Initial soil nutrients: 222 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen, 18.2 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus, 190 kg ha⁻¹ potassium.
• Temporal Scale:
  • Rabi 2023 season: Sowing on 2023-12-03, harvesting on 2024-02-27.
  • Summer 2024 season: Sowing on 2024-05-06, harvesting on 2024-08-13.
  • Crop duration: 90–95 days for groundnut variety VRI 10.

Methodology and Data

• Models used:
  • Experimental design: Split-plot design with three replications.
  • Main plot treatments (drip irrigation methods): Conventional drip irrigation (M1), time-based automated drip irrigation (M2), sensor-based automated drip irrigation (M3).
  • Sub-plot treatments (drip fertigation methods): Fertigation of 75% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) (F1), 100% RDF (F2), Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based drip fertigation (F3), sensor-based fertigation at 75% NPK level (F4), sensor-based fertigation at 100% NPK level (F5).
  • System innovation: Low-cost smart fertigation system built with Arduino microcontroller boards, soil moisture and EC sensors, solenoid valves, relays, power supply units, PVC pipes and fittings, mobile applications, Wi-Fi modules, plastic barrels, and a low-pressure drip fertigation unit (T-connectors and venturi).
  • Measurements: Plant height, Leaf Area Index (LAI), Dry Matter Production (DMP), Crop Growth Rate (CGR), SPAD meter value (chlorophyll content), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Leaf temperature, Relative Water Content (RWC), number of root nodules, root length, root volume, root dry weight, pod yield, haulm yield, and harvest index.
• Data sources:
  • Field experiments: Direct measurements of plant growth, physiological parameters, root characteristics, and yield.
  • Sensors: Irrometer sensor for soil moisture, NPK sensors for soil nutrient levels, Green seeker™ for NDVI, infrared thermometer for leaf temperature.
  • Weather data: Collected from Agro Climatic Research Center (Coimbatore) and Agro Meteorological Observatory (Madurai). Weekly mean wind speed: 2.06 m s⁻¹ (Location I), 1.17 m s⁻¹ (Location II). Weekly mean solar radiation: 179.4 W m⁻² (Location I). Weekly mean sunshine hours: 6.3 h day⁻¹ (Location II).
  • Soil analysis: Initial soil nutrient status (N, P, K) and texture.
  • Statistical analysis: Agres software at a 5% probability level.

Main Results

• The combination of sensor-based automated drip irrigation (M3) and sensor-based fertigation at 100% NPK level (F5) (M3F5) consistently resulted in significantly higher growth, physiological parameters, root characteristics, and yield of groundnut.
• Yield Enhancement: M3F5 recorded 43.74% and 45.25% higher pod yield compared to conventional drip irrigation with 75% RDF (M1F1) in the rabi 2023 and summer 2024 seasons, respectively.
  • M3F5 pod yield: 3,246 kg ha⁻¹ (rabi 2023) and 3,025 kg ha⁻¹ (summer 2024).
  • M3F5 haulm yield: 5,970 kg ha⁻¹ (rabi 2023) and 5,385 kg ha⁻¹ (summer 2024).
• Resource Savings: The sensor-based automated drip fertigation system reduced water usage by 7%–12% and fertilizer usage by 15%–25%.
• Growth and Physiological Improvements (M3F5):
  • Significantly higher plant height (80.4 cm in rabi 2023, 76.1 cm in summer 2024).
  • Increased Leaf Area Index (LAI) (5.02 in rabi 2023, 4.95 in summer 2024).
  • Higher Dry Matter Production (DMP) (7,940 kg ha⁻¹ in rabi 2023, 7,233 kg ha⁻¹ in summer 2024).
  • Elevated SPAD values (34.97 in rabi 2023, 37.01 in summer 2024) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) (0.867 in rabi 2023, 0.850 in summer 2024).
  • Maximal Crop Growth Rate (CGR) (up to 20.60 g m⁻² day⁻¹ in rabi 2023).
  • Lower leaf temperatures (33.58 °C in rabi 2023, 32.95 °C in summer 2024) and higher Relative Water Content (RWC) (83.77% in rabi 2023, 83.20% in summer 2024), indicating better water status.
• Enhanced Root Characteristics (M3F5):
  • Increased number of root nodules (209.5 per plant in rabi 2023, 199.9 per plant in summer 2024).
  • Greater root length (29.81 cm in rabi 2023, 27.90 cm in summer 2024).
  • Larger root volume (3.30 cm³ per plant in rabi 2023, 3.09 cm³ per plant in summer 2024).
  • Higher root dry weight (1.142 g per plant in rabi 2023, 1.069 g per plant in summer 2024).

Contributions

• Developed and validated a novel, low-cost, indigenous sensor-based automated drip irrigation and fertigation system specifically designed for small and marginal groundnut farmers.
• Demonstrated significant improvements in groundnut yield (over 43% increase), growth, physiological traits, and root development compared to conventional methods.
• Quantified substantial resource savings (7%–12% water, 15%–25% fertilizers), highlighting the system's contribution to sustainable agriculture and reduced input costs.
• Fills a critical gap in the literature by providing field-based evidence for the integrated application of sensor-based automation for both irrigation and fertigation in groundnut.
• Offers a practical, scalable, and sustainable solution to enhance farmer income and resource-use efficiency in water-scarce and input-limited environments.

Funding

• No direct financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article.
• Infrastructural support was provided by the DST-FIST (Department of Science and Technology - Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure) scheme.

Citation

@article{Aathithyan2025Response,
  author = {Aathithyan, C and Gurusamy, A and Subramanian, E. and Hemalatha, G. and Kumutha, K. and B, Bhakiyathu Saliha and Kamalesh, S},
  title = {Response of indigenous low cost smart fertigation system on growth, physiology, root characters and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)},
  journal = {Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.3389/fsufs.2025.1566364},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1566364}
}