International Journal of Farming and Allied Sciences

Available online at www.ijfas.com

2012 IJFAS Journal-2012-1-1/26-32
ISSN 0000-0000 2012 IJFAS

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Various Irrigation Regimes on yield and

Physiological Traits in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Ali Abdzad Gohari

Department of Irrigation, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran

Corresponding author Email: aag_aligohari@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: In order to study the effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer management on important
physiological traits of peanut a field experiment was laid out in split plot based on randomized completely block
design with three replications at Astaneh Ashrafiyeh, Guilan, Iran during 2009 growing season. Irrigation intervals
were included of 6, 12 and 18 days interval (I1, I2, I3 and I4 respectively) and were allotted to main plots and nitrogen
fertilizer treatments with amounts of 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg.ha-1 (abbreviated as N1, N2, N3 and N4) were allotted to
sub plots. Results illustrated that the effect of irrigation management on biological yield, pod yield, crop growth
rate, and pod growth rate at 1% level of probability was significant. However, its effect on pod allocation
coefficient was not significant. The effect of nitrogen levels on pod yield, crop growth rate, pod growth rate and
pod allocation coefficient at 1% level and on biological yield at 5% level of probability was significant. The
highest values of biological yield and pod yield (6439 kg ha -1 and 4229 kg ha-1, respectively) were recorded from 6
days interval and application of 60 kg N ha-1.

Keywords: Irrigation, Nitrogen, Physiological Traits, Biological Yield

INTRODUCTION therefore in weight of wet and dry plant (Stoyanov.2005).

Peanut is one of the most important and economical
oilseeds in tropical and subtropical regions which is
mostly grown due to its oil, protein and carbohydrates
(Panhwar, 2005). It is an annual shrub of Leguminosae
family and Arachis genus which has a main straight root
(Panjtandoust, 2008). The peanut seed is rich in edible oil
and contains 43-55% oil and 25-28% protein (Maiti, and
Ebeling, 2002). Supplying nutrients for plants in a normal
way is essential to reach an optimum yield in agricultural
production (Karimi et al., 2007). Lack of enough water
and its irregular scattering during growth stage has caused
water requirement is not provided for agricultural plants
and they catch into water stress. In this case a proper
agricultural management could be useful (Passioura.
2006). Cell growth is the most sensitive process influenced
by water stress. Therefore, when cell growth declines,
extent of plant's organs would be limited and it will be
shown by stunted leaves and height of the plant and
In Iran, this product is grown in Golestan, Khouzestan and
Guilan provinces. In Guilan, it is mostly planted in
Astaneh Ashrafiyeh and also along Sepidroud river
margin. Fertilizer has an important role to agricultural
production. So choosing a proper fertilizer and existing
required balance among nutrients have especial
importance (Panjtandoust. 2008). Adsorption of adequate
amounts of nitrogen by a plant leads to more protein
content and larger cereal and legume seeds. Generally, the
more the concentration of nitrogen in leaves, the more the
intensity of carbon-making would be because aside from
being found as protein in plants, nitrogen is the main
element in the chlorophyll synthesis and its fixation could
lead to more growth of aerial parts. Usually, nitrogen
shortage is observed when plant nutrition is not managed
properly and this element is not provided in adequate
amounts, which could result in the older leaves to turn
yellow and eventually, the plants growth stops. In other
cases, when too much nitrogen is provided for the plant, it
Intl. J. Farm. & Alli. Sci., 1 (1): 26-32, 2012
normally leads to watering of protoplasm and brittleness of
the plant itself which would result in becoming vulnerable
to diseases and pests (Davoodi, 2007).
Fertilizer has an important role to agricultural production.
So choosing a proper fertilizer and existing required
balance among nutrients have especial importance
(Panjtandoust. 2008). Drought is one of the limiting
factors for yield of groundnut in most of countries (Reddy
et al., 2003; Awal and Ikeda, 2002). Hungria and Vargas
(2000) showed that drought stress decreases Nitrogen-
fixing in different Leguminous especially in groundnut.
Songsri et al., (2008) and Haro et al. (2008) in a study on
varieties of groundnut have found that biologic yield is
more in full irrigation condition than in draught stress.
Vorasoot et al. (2003) conducted a study on 4 varieties of
groundnut with management in water stress and in lack of
stress. They found that biologic yield and pod yield were
more in lack of stress. In this case, proper usage of water
and nitrogen fertilizer and a correct management could
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In order to study the effect of irrigation and nitrogen
management on yield and important physiological traits in
peanut during the 2009 crop year, an experiment was done
in Astaneh Ashrafiyeh located in 3716' latitude and 4656'
longitude in the north of Iran at an average altitude of 3
meters. Climatic data of the studied period were obtained
from Astaneh Ashrafiyeh meteorological station. From the
climatology perspective, this town is considered a
temperate and humid region and has a loam soil with 7.4
pH value. Information on soil specifications and climatic
data of the studied region are given in tables (1) and (2).
The experiment was done as a split-plot in a completely
random blocks plan with three replications. Each
experimental unit was 32 m in area and had 10 rows of
plantation. The agricultural land was at first plowed on
May 5, 2009 and then, eleven days later (May 16, 2009)
peanut seeds of the Gilbadam cultivar (NC2) were sown
both manually and in rows 3-4cm deep. Before sowing,
seeds were disinfected in 2:1000 Carboxin thiram as a
fungicide (Craufurrd et al., 2002). Irrigation was as main-
plot factor which consisted of four levels of dry farming,
6, 12, and 18 day interval (I1, I2, I3 and I4 respectively).
Sub-plot factor was nitrogen fertilizer in four levels 0, 30,
60 and 90 kg/ha (abbreviated as N1, N2, N3 and N4). Half
of the nitrogen fertilizer was used as the base fertilizer and
the remaining was used in three equal portions 20, 30 and
40 days after plantation.
Crop management measures in the field included three
phases of weeding to control the weeds and also side
dressings around the root. Consumed water level during
increase productions and prevent from damages including
from water shortage.
Peanut is a crop whose drought resistance is due to its
ability to maintain a viable root system during water stress.
Water stress stimulates the growth of peanut roots into
deeper soil. Peanut roots can effectively extract soil water
to depths of at least 180 cm in fine sandy soils (Sanders et
al., 1993). Optimum productivity of peanut requires
adequate water during all stages of its physiological
maturity (Reddy and Reddy, 1993), but there are some
critical points in its growth stages (flowering and pod
filling) that are very sensitive to soil water availability
compared with early vegetative and late maturity (Reddy
et al., 2003). Insufficient water during these critical points
reduces seed yield substantially and fails to maximize
water use (Reddy et al., 2003). The present research was
done with the purpose of studying the effect of nitrogen
fertilizer and various irrigation regimes on yield and
physiological traits in peanut in the north of Iran.
the growth period was determined through measuring the
amount of irrigation water and the precipitation level. In
order to measure the amount of Water for irrigation for
each experimental unit, a contour was used. For 6, 12 and
18 days irrigation managements, 8, 4 and 3 irrigation
frequencies were considered, respectively in which 328,
300 and 264mm water was consumed. The crop was
harvested on September 20, 2009. After harvesting, rip
pods were separated and subjected to open air about 2
weeks in order to dehumidification. Then, for 48 hours
pods were kept into oven in temperature of 60 C to reach a
fixed dry weight. To determine the amount of biologic
yield in each plot, two rows of cultivated plants from sides
were omitted and 12 plants selected randomly. After pods,
leaves and stems were put into oven in temperature of 70
C for 48 hours. After being dried, samples weighted by
scale 0.01g accuracy. From total weight of dried pod
(along with seed), weights of dried stem and leaves and
biologic yield obtained into gram which changed in unit of
kg/hectare. To estimate pod yield, after omitting two rows
of plants from sides, rip pods were weighted by laboratory
scale 0.01 g accuracy. Also to determine the plant growth
rate and pod growth rate following equations were used
(Williams et al., 1995). Amount of allocation coefficient
measured through dividing pod growth rate by plant
growth rate (Rasekh et al., 2009).
To analyze the variance of data and to compare the mean
values (Duncan test at the probability level of 5%),
MSTATC software and in order to draw relevant diagrams,
Excel software was used.
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Intl. J. Farm. & Alli. Sci., 1 (1): 26-32, 2012

Table1. Characteristics of soil in the study area

Particle size distribution (%)
Potassium Phosphor Electrical
Soil depths Total Organic Soil
Sand Silt Clay absorbent absorbent Conductivity
(Cm) nitrogen carbon Texture
(mg/kg) (mg/kg) (ds/m)
0-20 49 32 32 0.084 0.68 Loamy 239 0.07 0.631
20-40 49 19 19 0.065 0.66 Loamy 191 2.17 0.565

Table2. Information on meteorological data

Maximum Minimum Rain fall Wind Speed Maximum Minimum
Month
Temperature(C) Temperature(C) (mm) (m/s) Humidity (%) Humidity (%)
May 27.3 17.3 39.5 1.2 92 58.9
Jun 41.9 20 0 0.9 85.9 49
Jul 29.5 18.8 149.5 0.3 93.4 66.9
Aug 28.4 18.5 11 0.9 91.3 63.8
Sep 32.3 21.0 16.1 6.0 94.0 54.3

(pod yiled1.65) + Biological Yield

Crops Growth Rate =
During growth period from planting to harvest in each plot

(pod yiled1.65)
Pod Growth Rate =
During growth period - day to 50% flowering in each plot -15

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION amounts leads to using prepared carbohydrates by plant

Biological Yield
Effects of irrigation management on biologic yield in
probability level of 1% and on levels of nitrogen fertilizer
in probability level of 5% were significant (table 3).
Conclusion of mean comparison represents the priority of
biologic yield in 6 days irrigation treatment (5421 kg per
hectare) to other treatments (Figureure 5). Different
treatments of nitrogen fertilizer have priority to treatments
without fertilizer (Figureure 2). In reciprocal influences,
the most yields belong to treatment of 6 days irrigation
with using 60 kg nitrogen fertilizer per hectare and mean
of 6439 kg per hectare (Table 4). Songsri et al., (2008)
surveyed groundnut in full irrigation condition and in
water stress. They found that in full irrigation treatment,
amount of biologic yield is more than biologic yield in
water stress. In another research by Haro et al., (2008) two
varieties of groundnut were surveyed in full irrigation and
water stress treatments during 2 years. They found that
biologic yield is less (34 to 67 percent) than full irrigation
treatment. It should consider that reduction in nutrients
absorption decreases accumulation of aerial parts and
decreases production of photosynthetic materials in
condition of water shortage. The reason is that in 6 days
irrigation management, producing dry matter increases due
to more development of leaf level. Increase in amount of
nitrogen to 60 kg per hectare was proper for stem growth
and increases stem growth in compare with root of the
plant. Therefore it is possible that increase in nitrogen
aerial parts, and provided nutrients uses for vegetative
growth. But extra usage of them leads aerial parts to grow
and lower leaves shaded by those parts.
Pod Yield
Results from the analysis of variance the effect of
irrigation management and nitrogen fertilizers on the
peanut pod yield showed that there was a significant
difference between the studied treatments (with 95% and
99% confidence coefficients, respectively). The maximum
pod yield (4093 kg/ha) was that of the 6 day irrigation
management treatment per plot (Figure. 1b). Furthermore,
the present study indicated that, the highest pod yield
average (3376 kg/ha) was that of the N3 fertilizer
treatment (Figure.2b). Increased nitrogen content inside
the plant helps the chlorophyll in leaves to increase and
thus the peanut yield increased as well. On the other hand,
nitrogen shortage accelerated the aging process in
vegetative organs such as leaves which are known as
photosynthesizing organs. Of course, excessive nitrogen
contents length end the vegetative period in peanuts
delayed the maturity of the crop and thus, caused the yield
to decrease (Panjtandoust, 2008). Abou Kheira, (2009) the
research showed that drought stress in peanut plant
significantly reduced pod yield be. regarding the
interaction between different irrigation management and
nitrogen fertilizer treatments, the highest pod yield was
found in the 6 day irrigation management and 60 kg/ha
nitrogen fertilizer treatment (4835 kg/ha) (Figure.3b).

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Intl. J. Farm. & Alli. Sci., 1 (1): 26-32, 2012

canopy of plant, light absorption increase lead to increase

Crops Growth Rate
Regarding to variance analysis, crop growth rate in
probable level of 1% is significant in treatment of
irrigation management and amount of nitrogen fertilizer
and their reciprocal effects (table 3). Maximum rate of
crop growth in 6 days irrigation management was 8
g/m2.day (Figureure 5). 60 kg nitrogen per hectare in
compare with treatments without irrigation and 60 and 30
kg nitrogen per hectare showed 30%, 6% and 10.2%
increase in yield respectively (Figureure 6).
Crops Growth Rate
The most reciprocal effect of irrigation management
and nitrogen fertilizer on crop growth rate belonged to
treatment of 6 days irrigation management and 60 kg
nitrogen fertilizer per hectare (table 4). True irrigation
management and proper usage of amount of nitrogen
fertilizer could lead to increase in groundnut growth,
because by this process, level of leaves will develop and
less light penetrate into soil. Therefore due to direct
relation between plant growth rate and light absorption by
in plant and crop growth rate (Rasekh et al., 2009).
Pod Growth Rate
Irrigation management and nitrogen fertilizer was
significant in probable level of 1% on pod growth rate of
groundnut (table 3). Also 6 days irrigation treatment had
the most pod growth rate (mean=7.2g/m2.day) in compare
with other treatments. On the other side, increasing
nitrogen fertilizer to 60 kg per hectare increased pod
growth rate (mean=5.9 g/m2.day) in groundnut. However,
increasing nitrogen to 90 kg per hectare, reduced pod
growth rate (mean=5g/m2.day) as reduced crop growth rate
(Figureure 8). Reciprocal effect between irrigation
management and nitrogen fertilizer was significant on pod
growth rate in probable level of 1% (table 3). The
maximum pod growth in 6 days irrigation and 60 kg
nitrogen per hectare was 8.7 g/m2.day (table 4). Influence
of nitrogen different level on pod's allocation coefficient
was meaningful in probable level of 1% (table 3) so that
the most allocation coefficient with mean of 0.92 observed
in 60 kg nitrogen fertilizer per hectare.

Table 3. Variance analysis for effects of irrigation management and nitrogen fertilizers on Biological yield, Pod yield, Crops Growth Rate,
Pod Growth Rate and pod allocation coefficient in peanut
Mean squares
Source of Pod allocation
df Biological Yield Pod Yield Crops Growth Rate Pod Growth Rate
variation coefficient
Blocks 2 512367.813* 747270.438ns 6.279* 3.192 ns 0.003 ns
** ** **
Irrigation 3 15972649.472 8282361.917 39.127 35.219 ** 0.011 ns
Error 6 741973.868 155789.104 0.985 0.661 0.002
Nitrogen 3 1224844.25** 1382633.361** 4.664** 5.896 0.017 **
Interaction 9 1854597.787** 397401.565** 2.682** 1.689 **
0.003 ns
Error 24 285364.799 100982.326 0.47 0.43 0.002
CV (%) 12.64 12.88 11.71 12.89 4.73
**,*: Significant at 1, 5% level and ns: Not significant

Table4. Interaction effect of irrigation management and nitrogen fertilizer on yield and Physiological Traits in peanut
Biological Yield Pod Yield Crops Growth Rate Pod Growth Rate
Treatment
(kg/ha) (kg/ha) (g/m2.day) (g/m2.day)
I1 N1 2766 ij 1413 g 3.5 ef 2.9 g
I1 N2 2899 hij 1456 g 3.6 ef 3.0 g
I1 N3 2258 j 1569 fg 3.4 f 3.2 fg
I1 N4 2750 ij 1461 g 3.6 ef 3.0 g
I2 N1 3475 ghi 2451 cde 5.3 d 5.0 cde
I2 N2 6051 ab 3740 ab 8.6 ab 7.7 ab
I2 N3 6439 a 4229 a 9.5 a 8.7 a
I2 N4 5720 abc 3524 b 8.1 b 7.2 b
I3 N1 4003 efg 2077 ef 5.1 d 4.2 ef
I3 N2 4661 def 2455 cde 6.0 cd 5.0 cde
I3 N3 4555 def 2988 c 6.7 c 6.1 c
I3 N4 5168 bcd 2906 c 7.0 c 5.9 c
I4 N1 4781 cde 2216 de 5.8 cd 4.5 de
I4 N2 4268 d-g 2408 cde 5.7 cd 4.9 cde
I4 N3 4078 efg 2683 cd 6.0 cd 5.5 cd
I4 N4 3751 fgh 1889 efg 4.7 de 3.8 efg

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Intl. J. Farm. & Alli. Sci., 1 (1): 26-32, 2012

5421a 4470a 4332a 4347a

6000 4597ab 5000 3756b
4219b

Biological yield (kg/ha)

Biological yield (kg/ha)

5000 4000

4000
2668c 3000
3000
2000
2000
1000
1000
0
0 0 30 60 90
no irrigation 6 day 12day 18day
(Kg.N/ha)

Figure 1. Biological yield in Irrigation management Figure 2. Biological yield in Nitrogen fertilizer

3486a
4000 2867a
4000
2606b 2515b 2445b
2299b
Pod yield (kg/ha)

2039c

Pod yield (kg/ha)

3000 3000

1475c
2000
2000

1000
1000

0
0 0 30 60 90
no irrigation 6 day 12day 18day
(Kg.N/ha)

Figure 3. Pod yield in Irrigation management Figure 4. Pod yield in Nitrogen fertilizer

8a
6.5a
8 6.1a
5.9a
Crop Growth Rate (g/m2.day)

8 6.3 b
5b
Crop Growth Rate (g/m2.day)

5.6 b
6
6

3.6 c 4
4

2
2

0
0 30 60 90
0
no irrigation 6 day 12day 18day (kg.N/ha)

Figure 5. crop growth rate in Irrigation management Figure 6. crop growth rate Nitrogen fertilizer

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Intl. J. Farm. & Alli. Sci., 1 (1): 26-32, 2012

7.2a 5.2 b 5.9a 5b

8 6
5.4 b 4.2 c

Pod Growth Rate (g/m2.day)

Pod Growth Rate (g/m2.day)
4.7 b
6
4
3c
4

2
2

0
0
0 30 60 90
no irrigation 6 day 12day 18day
(kg.N/ha)

Figure 7. Pod growth rate in Irrigation management Figure 8. crop growth rate Nitrogen fertilizer

0.92a

0.92

0.9
Sharing Coefficient

0.85a 0.85a
0.88
0.84 b
0.86

0.84

0.82

0.8

0.78
0 30 60 90

(kg.N/ha)

Figure 9. sharing coefficient in Nitrogen fertilizer

CONCLUSION Davoodi, M.H., 2007. Nutrient Macro Elements

Deficiency Symptoms in Field Crop. Agriculture
Results showed that the effect of irrigation Education publication, pp: 144 (In Persian).
management on biological yield, pod yield, crop growth Haro R., Dardanelli J., Otegui M., and Collino D. 2008. Seed
yield determination of peanut crops under water deficit:
rate, and pod growth rate at 1% level of probability was Soil strength effects on pod set, the source sink ratio and
significant. However, its effect on pod allocation radiation use efficiency. Field Crops Research. 109: 24-
coefficient was not significant. The effect of nitrogen 33.
levels on pod yield, crop growth rate, pod growth rate and Hungria M., and Vargas M.A.T. 2000. Environmental factors
pod allocation coefficient at 1% level and on biological affecting N2 fixation in grain legumes in the tropics, with
yield at 5% level of probability was significant. The an emphasis on Brazil. Field Crops Res. 65. 14: 151164.
highest values of biological yield and pod yield (6439 kg Karimi, A., M. Mazardalan, M. Homaeia, A. M. Liaghat and F.
ha-1 and 4229 kg ha-1, respectively) were recorded from 6 Raissi. 2007. Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sunflower
days interval and application of 60 kg N ha-1. with Fertigation System. Volume: 11. Number 40. 65-77
(In Persian).
Maiti, R. and P. W. Ebeling. 2002. The peanut (Arachis
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