Effect of the pre-magnetic treatment of seeds and the N-fertilizer on the yield and quality of groundnut grown in sandy soil

Abstract

<p>This field trial aimed to study the effect of the magnetic treatment (MT) of urea as a nitrogen (N) fertilizer as well as the MT of the groundnut (<em>Arachis<strong> </strong>hypogaea </em>L.) seeds before sowing on the crop yield and quality under sandy soil conditions during the summer seasons of 2020 and/or 2021. Treatments were distributed in a split-plots design in triplicates. The control CL has received the recommended dose RD of the N-fertilizer while other treatments received the rates 50, 75, and 100% of the RD as magnetized urea (main factor F1) applied to the surface soil. The sub-factor (F2) was the time of MT (15, 30, and 45 min) of the groundnut seeds exposed to magnetic field MF 1.4 T before planting. Representative samples from the soil and plant were taken after harvesting. At the 15-min time and 100% N-fertilization, the yield of pods and seeds (kg ha^-1) has increased relatively by 8.2% and 9.7% respectively, compared to the corresponding CL. At the 30-min time and 50% and 100% N-fertilization, the yield (kg ha^-1) has increased relatively by 9.7% and 13.3% respectively for pods and by 10.1% and 16.8% respectively for the seeds. At the 45-min time and 50% N-fertilization, the yield (kg ha^-1) has increased by 12.4% and 14.6% for pods and seeds, respectively. The 100% N-fertilization along with 15 min MT before cultivation or the 50% and/or 100% N-fertilization along with 30 min MT or the 50% along with 45 min MT could be recommended. The agronomic efficiency (AE) for the N, P, and K nutrients was increased by the MT in the order 15 min &lt; 30 min &lt; 45 min at the 50, 75, and 100% N-fertilization rates.</p>