Effect of Calcium and Phosphorus Fertilization on the Growth, yield and Seed Quality of Two Groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.) Varieties
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Date
JUNE 2010
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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted on a sandy loam soil at the CSIR-Crops Research study
Institute (CSIR-CRI), Kumasi in Ghana during the major and minor seasons of 2009 to the effects of calcium and phosphorus fertilization on the seed yield and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). A 2x2x3 factorial experiment laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used in this study. The factors studied were two groundnut varieties (Shitaochi and Nkosour), two phosphorus rates (0 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) and three levels of calcium (0, 100 and 200kg Ca ha-1).
In the major season, the improved variety Nkosour out-yielded Shitaochi, the local variety in pod and seed yield whilst in the minor season the converse was obtained. In both seasons, the application of Ca fertilizer had a positive effect on the number of filled pods, shelling percentage and 100 seed weight. The application of 100 kg Ca ha-1 which was similar to 200 kg Ca ha-1, significantly (P ≤ 0.05) out-yielded the control in the number of filled pods, shelling percent and 100 seed weight and seed yield in both seasons. Calcium application also increased the calcium content, germinability, vigour and the oil content of the seeds.
The application of phosphorus significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced vegetative growth and dry weight of the two groundnut varieties. It also increased the protein content of the seed in both seasons. The two varieties responded positively to calcium and phosphorus fertilization. The findings from of the major and minor seasons indicate that the application of 100 kg ha-1 as oyster shell powder has the potential to increase seed and pod yields of groundnut.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of MSc Degree in Seed Science and Technology