Reducing N Doses by Enhancing Nodule Formation in Groundnut Plants via Co and Mo

Abstract

To investigate the possibility of enhancing nodulation in groundnut plants (Arachis hypogaea L.) and consequently reducing N doses, a Pot experiment was conducted at wired greenhouse as preliminary experiment to define the effective concentrations of cobalt and molybdenum needed for high nodulation in groundnut plants. Then, two field experiments were carried out to study the possibility of reducing N doses by molybdenum (16 ppm) and cobalt (12 ppm) and their combination, applied to soil with different doses of nitrogen fertilizer (25,50,75 and 100% of recommended dose) on groundnut. Results indicated that the addition of cobalt and molybdenum with 75% and 100 % nitrogen had a significant favorable effect on all growth parameters, nodules number and efficiency, chlorophyll content and seed macronutrients and micronutrients. Data also revealed that cobalt and molybdenum increased pods and seeds yield quantity and quality specially protein percentage.