Effects of Mineral Fertilizers and Environment on Agronomic Performance and Nitrogen Fixation of Six Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes

Abstract

In the Sahel, groundnuts play a major role in human and animal nutrition, as well as in cropping systems. However, this crop is often grown on nitrogen- and phosphorus-poor soils, accompanied by pockets of drought during the cycle. This can have negative effects on its agronomic performance and ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of mineral fertilization and environmental conditions on the agronomic performance and nitrogen fixation of six groundnut genotypes. The experiments were carried out in the experimental field of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the André Salifou University and in the experimental site of the Institut Pratique de Formation in Matameye. The treatment applied in each locality comprised three modalities: F0 (unfertilized), F1 (with Di-Ammonium Phosphate input), and F2 (with NPK input). A factorial design with four replications was used. The results obtained show that F2 gave the best yields of tops and seeds in both localities. Nodulation was higher in Matameye than Zinder, irrespective the treatment. The results showed significant interactions between sites, fertilization treatments and genotypes for the parameters studied. The results show that good fertilization improves peanut productivity and nitrogen fixation capacity.