Effect of Sulfur and Calcium-Enriched Blended Mineral Fertilizers on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Productivity in the Ferruginous Tropical Soils of Senegal’s Groundnut Basin
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) yields are very low in Senegal due, among other factors, to low soil fertility. This study was initiated to help improve peanut productivity by evaluating the effects of mineral fertilizer blends enriched with sulfur and calcium on peanut yield and soil fertility. The experiment was conducted during the 2019 rainy season at the CNRA in Bambey and at the ISRA station in Nioro du Rip using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The factor studied was mineral fertilization at seven levels: F0: absolute control at 0 kg ha-1, F1: 100 kg ha-1 NPK 6-20-10, F1S: 100 kg ha-1 NPK 6-20-10 + 4S-4CaO; F2: 150 kg ha-1 NPK 6-20-10, F2S: 150 kg ha-1 NPK 6-20-10 + 4S-4CaO; F3: 200 kg ha-1 NPK 6-20-10; F3S: 200 k kg ha-1 NPK 6-20-10 + 4S-4CaO. The ANOVA results showed a significant effect of mineral fertilization on plant height, the number of nodules per plant, pod yield, and the 100 seed-weight. Treatments using mineral fertilizers enriched with sulfur and calcium were more productive than NPK 6-20-10 alone. F3S (200 kg ha-1 of NPK 6-20-10 + 4S-4CaO) recorded the highest pod yields: 2,507 kg ha-1 in Bambey and 2,889 kg ha-1 in Nioro du Rip, representing yield increases of 37% and 29%, respectively, compared to the standard fertilizer application F2 (150 kg ha-1 NPK 6-20-10). F1S and F2S recorded yield increases of 27% and 28%, respectively, compared to F2. The highest number of filled pods per plant was obtained with F3S and F2S, with values of 22.1 ± 0.98 and 20.9 ± 0.89 full pods per plant in Bambey, and 26.2 ± 1.70 and 23.9 ± 0.49 in Nioro du Rip. The 100 seed-weight followed the same trend, with values of 45.2 ± 0.37 and 44.1 ± 0.36 g for F3S and F2S, respectively, in Bambey; and 43.1 ± 1.95 and 41.4 ± 0.91 g in Nioro du Rip. Regarding soil fertility, the results showed a more pronounced decline in soil mineral content after the trial. Thus, these results could contribute to improving groundnut productivity in Senegal’ groundnut basin.
Authors: Malick Ndiaye, Fatou Niang, Dioumacor Fall
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225456325