The nutrition of peanuts on cockatoo sands of the Ord River Valley

Abstract

Eight field experiments were carried out between 1977 and 1979 to determine the nutrient requirements of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) when grown in a sandy soil next to the Ord River Valley. Treatments tested were phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, nitrogen and inoculation with Rhizobium. Phosphorus applied to the virgin soil at 20 kg/ha P increased pod yields by 36% (from 3.35 to 4.56 t/ha) and kernel yields by 40% (from 2.24 to 3.14 t/ha). Phosphorus had no effect in an experiment, which followed a fertilized crop of sorghum. Calcium as either limestone or gypsum increased kernel yields of 'Virginia Bunch' peanuts by up to 16% and 46% in two seasons, respectively, through improvements in kernel weight and shelling percentage. Potassium, nitrogen and inoculation did not affect any economic attribute.