Growth and Yield Responses of Iron (Fe) and Boron on Groundnut in Ghana

Charles Afriyie-Debrah , James Yaw Asibuo , Kwabena AsareBediako , Franklin Bosompem , Maxwell Lamptey , Afua Gyaama Gyimah

CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Box 3785, Kumasi-Ashanti, Ghana

Corresponding Author Email: degreatdebrahgh@gmail.com

DOI : https://doi.org/10.51470/ABP.2026.05.01.44

Abstract

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Introduction

Groundnut (Arachishypogaea L.) is one of the most important legume crops grown by farmers in Ghana. Groundnut kernels contain about 50% edible oil, 25–28% protein, and around 20% carbohydrate [1] and [2], and it is considered important for its nutritional, economic, and ecological value. In Ghana, groundnuts produce food for direct consumption in diverse ways like weaning foods, soups, stew, roasted food, and highly nutritious and quality oil for cooking. The haulms of groundnut have been used as livestock feeds, especially during the dry season [3] and [4]. The estimated per capita annual consumption of groundnuts in Ghana is 12 kg and is increasing with growing incomes and urbanization [5].

Production of groundnut in Ghana, especially the northern region, is dominated by smallholder farmers under rainfed production conditions [6]. Though groundnut ranks among the most important field legumes grown by smallholder farmers in northern Ghana, production levels are low compared to its potential due to various production constraints such as poor soils, low use of improved seed, and poor crop management practices [7] and [8]. Micronutrient deficiency is one of the major constraints facing crop productivity. Organic amendments alone cannot sufficiently meet the nutrient demand of crops [9]. Balanced fertilizer approach needs to be considered in the management of crops.

Iron (Fe) plays a crucial role in chlorophyll synthesis and function, and it is required for respiration and as a cofactor in many different enzymes involved in oxidation–reduction reactions within plant cells [10]. Availability of Fe therefore has a direct effect on photosynthetic capacity and hence biomass production [11]. Fe deficiency symptoms include chlorosis, poor vegetative growth, and yield. Boron (B) is required for pollen formation, pollen germination, tube growth, fertilization, pod development and growth, and seed filling processes [12] and [13]. Boron is essential for reproductive growth and development. Application of B increases flowering, pod set and fruit set, and seed quality in legumes [14] and [15]. Recently, evidence suggested that foliar application of micronutrients showed better uptake and improvement in growth and yield of crops than soil application under deficient soils [16] and [17]. Many studies have been carried out on nutrient management of groundnut but still lack information on micronutrient management under contrasting agro-ecologies.

Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the effect of foliar-applied Fe and B on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake of two varieties of groundnut under two contrasting agro-ecologies in Ghana.

Materials and Methods

Study Sites

The experiments were conducted at Fumesua (Lat. 7.54°N Long. –1.95°W) and Akomadan research fields (Lat. 7.3912° N, Long. 1.9545° W) of CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Ghana during the growing seasons. Fumesua is situated in the Forest agro-ecological zone while Akomadan is located in the Transitional agro-ecological zone. These sites were chosen because of their contrasting soil types and climate where groundnut is produced.

Experimental Materials

Improved varieties of groundnut (Arachishypogaea L.), namely, Dehye and Yenyawoso were used in the study. They are the predominant varieties grown by farmers in Ghana due to their superior yield potential and wide adaptability. The seeds were sourced from the seed unit of CSIR-CRI.

Experimental Design and Treatments

The experiment followed a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatment factors included:

• Concentration of Iron (Fe): 0%, 0.6% and 0.9% foliar spray

• Concentration of Boron (B): 0%, 0.3% and 0.45% foliar spray

• Varieties: Dehye (D) and Yenyawoso (Y)

Plot size was spaced [insert here if given]. Seeds were sown using a spacing of 10 cm × 30 cm between plants and rows, respectively. Agronomic practices such as weeding and pest control were applied to all the plots as needed. Foliar application of Fe and B were sprayed at the early vegetative stage and flowering stage using a knapsack sprayer. The sprayer was calibrated to produce uniform sprays. Growth, reproduction, and yield parameters were measured and recorded as described below:

Data Collection

• Growth parameters: plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, leaf area (cm²), chlorophyll content index (CCI).

• Reproductive traits: Days to 50% flowering, days to physiological maturity, number of pods per plant, and pod length (cm).

• Yield traits: Plant biomass (g/plant) and grain yield (kg/ha).

Data Analysis

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the data using STAR version 6 (IRRI, 2014) [18] statistical software package. Means were separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at p ≤ 0.05 whenever there were significant treatment effects.

Results and Discussion
Plant Growth
Plant Height  
Statistically, no significant difference was observed among varieties for plant height at Akomadan site but varied significantly at Fumesua site (Table 2). Mean plant height at Fumesua was higher (31.06 cm) than Akomadan (30.96 cm). Plant height ranged from 24.3–36.5 cm at experimental sites (Table 1). The difference could be due to variation in soil fertility levels and micro-climatic conditions prevailing in the sites. Earlier research has established groundnut height to be influenced by nutrients availability and environmental conditions of a particular location, especially rainfall and temperature regime [19] and [20]Obisesan et al., 2019.

 

Number of Leaves

Varieties differed significantly at Akomadan site for leaf number but not at Fumesua site (Table 2). Mean leaf number was higher at Fumesua (50.23) compared to Akomadan (44.69). Provision of nutrients and favourable soil conditions hastens leaf production by plants and micronutrients like Fe are known to be required in chlorophyll production and vegetative growth and development in plants (table 1) [10] and [11]. Reported earlier also observed higher leaf numbers in legumes supplemented with Fe.

 

Number of Branches

Varietal differences for branching was significant at Fumesua site but not at Akomadan site. Number of branches ranged from 5–9 at both sites and mean branch number was higher at Fumesua (6.36) than Akomadan (5.54) (Table 1 and Table 2 respectively). Branching determine number of pod-bearing sites on the groundnut plant. Earlier studies have reported groundnut plants supplied with adequate B nutrition showed increased branching habits leading to reproductive growth.

 

Phenology

Days to 50% Flowering

Varietal differences for days to 50% flowering were significant at both sites (Table 2). Mean days to 50% flowering at Akomadan (57 days) was earlier than Fumesua (60 days) (Table 1). The differences recorded in days to 50% flowering can be explained by environmental factors such temperature and fertility status of the sites. Earlier flowering was recorded at Akomadan which could be attributed to higher day temperatures that advance phenological development at that site. Previous study also reported this phenomenon.

 

 

Days to Maturity

Varieties differed significantly at both sites for days to maturity. Mean maturity duration was longer at Fumesua site (98 days) than Akomadan (97 days). Variation in maturity duration ranged from 85–110 days across treatment combinations (Table 1 and Table 2 respectively). Reports have indicated that the maturity duration of groundnut is influenced by agro-ecological conditions where the experiment is being conducted as well as varietal differences.

 

Yield Components

Number of Pods per Plant

Significant differences were not observed among varieties at both sites for number of pods per plant (Table 2). Mean pod number per plant was higher at Fumesua (71) than Akomadan (38). Wide variation observed in pod number across sites was due to range of 12–111 pods per plant. Similar differences were reported by previous research where application of B had a positive effect on pod formation and retention in legumes [13] and [21].

 

Pod Length

Varietal differences for pod length were significant at both sites. Mean pod length recorded was higher at Akomadan (21.83 cm) than Fumesua (20.18 cm) (Table 1 and Table 2 respectively). Pod length determine yield class of groundnut and its variation may be a result of genotypic difference as well site variation. Similar studies reported site dependent effect on pod length.

 

Total Plant Yield

Statistically no significant difference was observed among varieties for total plant yield at both sites. Mean yield was higher at Fumesua site (0.45 t/ha) than Akomadan (0.39 t/ha). Variation in total plant yield ranged from 0.022–1.03 t/ha across sites. This follows what was reported earlier that groundnut yield is sensitive to climatic variables such as rainfall distribution as well as soil fertility conditions of the field [22] and [23]

 

Physiological Traits

Leaf Area

Varietal differences were significant for leaf area at Akomadan site but not at Fumesua site (Table 1). Mean leaf area value recorded was almost the same at both sites (Akomadan = 193.14 cm²; Fumesua = 192.88 cm²) (Table 2). Leaf area has been reported to be related to photosynthetic rate of the leaf and responds to Fe application due to involvement of micronutrient in chlorophyll biosynthesis [10].

Chlorophyll Content Index (CCI)

Varietal differences for chlorophyll content index (CCI) were significant at both sites (Table 2). Mean CCI recorded was higher at Akomadan (31.33) than Fumesua site (29.97) (Table 1). Findings agrees with what reported earlier that Fe application improved chlorophyll synthesis resulting in higher CCI value.

 

Total Plant Biomass

Total plant biomass showed no significant difference among varieties at both sites (Table 2). Mean biomass recorded was higher at Fumesua site (129.21 g) than Akomadan (94.14 g) (Table 1). Biomass accumulation was dependent on crop vigour and could be influenced by both genotypic difference and environment. Earlier reported that foliar application of Fe and B increased dry matter accumulation in bean and cowpea due to increase efficiency in nutrients uptake.

 

Discussion

Results from this study revealed that varieties responded differently to Fe and B applied to soil. Location also had profound effect on growth, physiological and yield parameters assessed in the study. Generally speaking, higher plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content index (CCI) and total plant yield were recorded at Fumesua site while higher pod length was recorded at Akomadan site. Site differences observed in growth, physiological and yield parameters could be credited to differences in soil fertility levels available to plants. Above observations agree with reports that micronutrients are essential for good crop growth, reproduction and yield production in legumes [24], [21] and [23].

 

Conclusion

The groundnut varieties responded differently to Fe and B application treatments in both locations. Yenyawoso gave the best response in Fumesua to treatment T9 (0.6% Fe + 0.45%B). While at Akomadan location, it gave the best response to treatment T10 (0.9% Fe + 0.45%B). The variety Dehye responded best to treatment T8 (0.6% Fe + 0.3%B) and treatment T7 (0.9% Fe without B) at Fumesua location. Fe and B applications increased leaf area index, chlorophyll content and biomass production. These attributes are important factors that influence crop productivity positively. Therefore, adequate application of Fe and B is very essential to achieve optimum groundnut production. But because there was severe drought towards the middle of the trial period, the treatments could not express themselves. I therefore recommend that the trial be conducted in a season where there will be no drought or less occurrence of drought in the study area.

Recommendation

1. Conduct the trial in seasons where there will be no drought or least occurrence of drought in the study area to validate the study.

2. Promote site-specific fertilizer management since varieties performed differently in location.

3. Add iron and boron to fertilizer packages where they are known to be deficient.

4. Educate small holder farmers on the importance of micronutrients such as Fe and B and how to correctly apply them as foliar sprays.

5. Conduct long term trial on how Fe and B interact with other macro and micro nutrients, level of soil fertility and water management.

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to acknowledge their thanks for the support and guidance from the staff members of

Legume and Oil Section of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute for the successful completion of writing the manuscript. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr James Yaw Asibuo for their unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance throughout this work.

Authors’ contributions

Writing of original draft and conceptualization were done by CAD. JYA, KAB, FB, ML and AGG done the revision of draft, proof reading, formatting and supervision.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest: Authors do not have any conflict of interests to declare.

Ethical issues: None

Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing; None

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