Effects of regulated deficit irrigation, boron and zinc applications on peanuts growth and seed yield in arid conditions

Efficient irrigation and nutrient management are vital for sustainable agriculture, minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring long-term productivity. This research study investigated the impact of applying boron and zinc on peanut crops under different irrigation conditions. Therefore, during two growing seasons, the study examined the effects of foliar boron application (0.01%) alongside either separate or combined soil applications of chelated zinc (1.25 kg/ha) on peanut plants, while also considering two levels of irrigation: 100% and 70% of the required amount. Hence, the study aimed to understand how these micronutrient applications affect peanut yield and quality when subjected to varying water availability. The experiment utilized a split-plot design where two levels of irrigation (main plot) were combined with four application treatments (sub-plot): tap water (control), boron, zinc, and boron plus chelated zinc. The results indicated that the boron applications significantly enhanced the values of peanuts' vegetative growth, nutrient uptake, yield, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). By applying the boron as a solitary application under 70% Ir, the contents of N, P, and Zn were increased compared to 100% Ir by 26.9, 24.6, and 75.8 %, respectively. Moreover, pod and seed weights attained the highest values by applying the solitary boron application under 70% Ir. Therefore, this study concluded that spraying a solitary application of boron on peanuts positively influenced the vegetative growth, nutrient uptake, yield, and IWUE under the limited irrigation level.