Application of Phosphorus and Calcium to Improve Physiological Response of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Genotype, environment and agronomic practices are key determinants of crop growth and productivity which are important to provide food, feed, raw materials and income to small holder farmers in Africa. The study was conducted at Crop museum, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania to investigate physiological response of groundnut to calcium and phosphorus nutrition among three improved groundnut genotypes Mangaka (G1), Masasi (G2) and Pendo (G3) with three levels of phosphorus and at calcium control (T0), 125 kg/ha (T1) and 55 kg/ha (T2) supplied from Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Minjingu mazao, respectively. Significant (P< 0.05) influence of calcium was observed on leaf area index (LAI) 4.03; crop biomass 88.79 g/plant; number of nodules 66.22, and crop growth rate (CGR) 15.05 g m2/day. Whereas phosphorus had significant influence on net assimilation rate (NAR) 10.84 g m2/day. Similarly, groundnut genotype (Masasi) had significant influence on LAI (3.95); CGR (13.04 g m2/day); NAR (12.36 g m2/day) and number of nodes (64.93). However, there was no significant effect of genotype on crop biomass recorded from the investigation. Growth parameters were significant influenced by genotype and fertilizer interactions with Significant (P=0.2) interaction effect for crop biomass observed between G3 x T1, whileG3 x T2 significantly affected number of nodules and G2 x T1 had Significant interaction effects on CGR and NAR. This is an indication that investment in improved genotype and appropriate application rate of fertilizers has the potential to enhance yield and income of smallholder farmers.

Effect of Rate and Time of Phosphorous Application and Planting Density on Yield and Net Benefit of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

“…It's also important for respiration, cell division and cell growth things that are integral to the development of the plant and its fruit. Similar findings were made by Nyuma [39] who also found that application of P significantly decreased the number of empty pods per plant.…”

“…This was a clear indication that phosphorus application at sowing helped to increase the number of kernels per pod in groundnut production. Similar studies have shown that the number of kernels per pod was increased by P application at sowing [39]. Drammeh [40] also made similar findings and stated that when phosphorus was applied to groundnuts at sowing, it resulted to increase growth ancillaries which were due to cell division and rapid development of meristematic tissues which resulted in a greater plant height.…”