Agro-biological evaluation of different groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties on the background of phosphorous-potash fertilizers in conditions of semi-desert soil zone

L.G. Matevosyan*, A.A. Barbaryan, R.H. Ghazaran, A.G. Ghukasyan, M.H. Galstyan and S.S. Harutyunyan

Scientific Centre of Agriculture, Isi-le-Mulino 1, AM1101 Ejmiatsin, Armavir region, Armenia
*Correspondence։ lusnyak.matevosyan81@mail.ru

Abstract:

In conditions of semi-desert soil zones of Armenia (1,130 m high above the sea level) the agro-biological properties of groundnut varieties Lia, Virginia, Mocket, TMV 3, Sevahatik (Black Seed) and Chinese have been studied with the aim of selecting their best options for further regionalization in the piedmont zones. The field experiments were conducted in 2020–2022. The calculations and laboratory analyses have indicated that the field germination capacity of the mentioned varieties is rather high fluctuating within the range of 77.5–81.0%, whereas the weight of 1,000 grains equaled to 515–545 g, the average yield – 2.77–3.33 t ha^-1, the total nitrogen in the grains were 4.39–4.61%, crude proteinհում (per 5.70 factor of nitrogen) – 25.02–26.28%, total sugar contents – 14.11–16.63%, and fat content – 44.8–48.0%. The Mocket and Chinese varieties were distinguished by their yield capacity and qualitative indices of the yield and thus, the latter have been recommended for the cultivation in the farm households of the mentioned zone.

Key words:

Effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and vermicompost fertilizers on productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Babile, Eastern Ethiopia

G. Bekele¹*, N. Dechassa², T. Tana² and J.J. Sharma²

¹Depatment of Plant Sciences Bedele College of Agriculture and Forestry, Mettu University, P.O.Box 138, Ethiopia
²School of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O.Box 138, Ethiopia
*Corresponding author: getme.bekele@gmail.com

Abstract:

Though groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a main cash crop for smallholder farmers in several districts of eastern Ethiopia, its yield is very low. Farmers apply little or no fertilizers to grow the crop possibly because no generic or recommended fertilizers rates available for farmers. Therefore field experiments were conducted for two consecutive cropping seasons in Babile district, to prove the hypothesis that one of the major factors that severely reduce the yield of the crop was lack of nutrients in the soil with the objective of investigating the effects of applying mineral NP fertilizers and vermicompost on the productivity of improved groundnut variety ‘BaHa-Gudo’. The experiment was 3 × 3 × 3 factorial with three replications laid down in a randomized complete block design comprising nitrogen (0, 23 and 46 kg N ha^-1), phosphorus (0, 46 and 92 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1) and vermicompost (0, 2.5 and 5 t vermicompost ha^-1). The data on crop growth, nodulation and yield were collected and subjected to analysis of SAS 9.2 software. Means separation were made using Duncans Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of significance. The results revealed that growth, yield attributes, and yields were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by the main and interactions effect of the treatments. The pod yield obtained from combined application of 46: 46 kg N: P₂O₅ ha^-1 and 2.5 t vermicompost ha^-1 exceeded the pod yield produced from nil application of fertilizers by about 100%. The economic analysis also indicated that the highest marginal rate of return (671%) and net benefit ($ 1,830) ha^-1 were obtained from combined application of 46: 46 kg N: P₂O₅ ha^-1 and 2.5 t vermicompost ha^-1. From the results it could be concluded that applying the aforementioned doses of fertilizers combination would enable farmers increase productivity of groundnut so as to enhance farmers’ income and livelihoods.

Key words:

combined application, Groundnut;, mineral NP fertilizers, Vermicompost