Effect of Irrigation Systems and Calcium on Productivity and Quality of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) at New Valley

Two field experiments were carried out at Desert Research Center (D.R.C.), Agricultural Experiment Station (27°47.7 42 N, 30°24.7 63 E), EL-Kharga Oasis, New Valley Governorate during the two growing seasons of 2016 and 2017 to study the effect of irrigation systems (surface, advanced surface, drib and sprinkler irrigation) and calcium foliar application levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 cm Ca/ L) on productivity and quality of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under New Valley conditions. Results showed that the effect of irrigation systems on all studied parameters were significant. The lowest values of number of pods plant, pods weight plant, 100 seed weight, pods yield and seed yield were obtained when surface irrigation system was applied, while maximum values were when sprinkler irrigation system in both seasons. However, the difference between this irrigation system and drip irrigation was not significant in both seasons. The lowest values of harvest index (%), shelling (%), oil seed yield (kg/ fed.), water use efficiency (kg/ m) and protein (%) were obtained when surface irrigation was used, while the highest values were obtained when drip irrigation was used in both seasons. On the hand, applying of the drip irrigation system gave the lowest values for phosphorus, calcium, zinc, manganese and iron. Maximum values of the mineral content of seed produced by using advanced surface irrigation system. However, the seed content differences between it and the application of surface irrigation system were insignificant during both seasons. Raising of calcium foliar levels up to 6 cmCa/ to a significant increase in all studied parameters except, oil seed yield (kg/ fed.), water use efficiency (kg/ m), phosphorus seed content (%) and Zn seed content (mg/ kg) during both seasons. On the other hand, Mn seed content (mg/ kg) and Fe seed content (mg/ kg) had adverse trend where, maximum values had obtained with control treatment and there was a gradual decrease as concentration of calcium spray application in both seasons. Maximum values of these parameters were produced by 6 cmCa/ L foliar application in both seasons as compared with (control). However, the difference between spraying with this concentration and spraying with the lowest concentration (4 cmCa/ L) was not significant with all the studied traits during both seasons. The interaction between irrigation systems and calcium foliar application levels had a significant effect on all studied characters except, Protein (%), phosphorus seed content (%), Zn seed content (mg/ kg) and Fe seed content (mg/ kg) during both seasons. The highest values of studied traits concerning the number of pods plant, pods weight plant (g), 100 seed weight (g), pods yield (kg/ fed.), seed yield (kg/ fed.) and oil seed yield (kg/ fed.) were obtained when sprinkler system and Ca foliar spraying at rate of 6 cmCa/ L was used both seasons. However, maximum values harvest index (%), shelling (%) and water use efficiency (kg/ m) were obtained when drib irrigation system and spraying Ca at rate of 6 cmCa/ L was applied in both seasons. On the other hand, maximum values of Ca seed content (mg/ kg) were obtained at the irrigation by advanced surface system and spraying by the higher rate of calcium (6 cmCa/ L). Nevertheless, the highest values of Mn seed content (mg/ kg) were obtained at the irrigation by advanced surface system and the control treatment of calcium (without foliar) in both seasons. Therefore, the study recommends that using of sprinkler or drip irrigation system and spraying by the rate of 6 cmCa/ L for the cultivation of peanut under New Valley conditions.