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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #139659

Title: EFFECT OF CHELATED CALCIUM ON VALENCIA PEANUT YIELD

Author
item PUPPALA, NAVEEN - UNIVERSITY OF NM
item BAKER, R - UNIVERSITY OF NM
item Sorensen, Ronald - Ron

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2002
Publication Date: 3/1/2002
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Calcium nutrition is often a yield limiting factor for peanuts and is necessary for pod growth and increased peg strength. Calcium (Ca) applied to the fruiting zone increases the number of pods per plant. Application of Ca 30 to 45 days after penetration of gynophores into the soil increased the percentage of developed pods. During 1999 growing season, application of gypsum did not show any significant difference in yield probably due to high soil pH (> 7.5). During 2000, we tested whether applications of chelated calcium at three different rates (1.7 kg ha-1, 3.5 kg ha-1 and 6.8 kg ha-1) would influence pod yield, and farmer stock grade. Chelated calcium (EDTA ¿ Ethylene diamine tetra-acetate) was applied using a Cady wheel fertilizer injector 45 days after planting on either side of the peanuts. The experiment was conducted under two different irrigation systems ¿ Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and Center Pivot Irrigation (CP) systems. Pod yield, Farmer Stock Grade (FSG), and water applied to the SDI system were compared with that of the CP irrigation system. Pod yields with the SDI system averaged 2700 kg ha-1 or a 17% increase over CP system (2316 kg ha-1). Among the three calcium rates tested, application of 1.7 kg ha-1 under SDI resulted in 12% higher pod yield compared to control (no calcium). Under CP application of 6.8 kg ha-1 Ca resulted in 6% higher yield compared to control. Application of dairy manure at 37.5 tons ha-1 along with calcium improved the pod yield and farmers stock grade under SDI system. More research is needed to conclude these findings.