Effect of Zn and B on the Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Groundnut

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the effect of combination between foliar zinc and boron on groundnut growth, yield, nutrient uptake and its accumulation in pods. Study Design:  Completely random design (CRD). Place and Duration of Study: Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Nadia, West Bengal, India during 2016. Methodology: The pot experiment was comprised of three levels of Zn (0, 0.5 and 0.75% Zn), three levels of B (0, 0.3 and 0.45% B) and their combinations. The treatments were replicated thrice. Zn and B were applied through foliar spray twice at vegetative and flower initiation stage. Chlorophyll content, leaf area, root–shoot dry biomass, plant height, nutrient uptake and nutrient concentrations in pods were studied. Results: Foliar spray of Zn and B jointly increased the leaf area to the tune of 55% and 29% at flowering and pod formation stages, respectively. Despite sole application of B and Zn increased the leaf chlorophyll content in groundnut; the combined applications were much more prominent. Moreover, lower level of Zn combined with higher level of B significantly (p<0.05) had higher uptake of N (18.8%), P (11.5%) and K (5.9%) over higher level of sole Zn application. The improved biomass accumulation of groundnut amplified the efficient utilization of primary nutrients and resulted in higher nutrient uptake as well as their concentration in pods. Groundnut when sprayed with elevated doses of Zn and B produced the maximum yield (30.8 g/plant). Conclusion: Spraying of Zn and B increased plant biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll content noticeably and with the increase in concentration of Zn and B in spray, the increment became quite intense. The combined spray of Zn and B at critical growth stages promoted better growth and productivity of groundnut.