Accumulation and exportation of macronutrients by peanut crops under pulse irrigation with brackish water

Abstract

ABSTRACT High salinity levels trigger harmful effects on plant mineral nutrition, causing production losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of using pulse or continuous drip irrigation with brackish water on the accumulation and exportation of nutrients in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) crops. A randomized block experimental design with four replications was used, in a 6×2 factorial arrangement consisting of six levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (ECw: 0.2, 1.6, 2.8, 4.0, 5.2, and 6.4 dS m-1) and two irrigation regimes (pulse and continuous). Accumulation and exportation of macronutrients, sodium, and chloride were quantified at 63 days after sowing. Pulse irrigation mitigated the harmful effects of high salinity levels on peanut crops and promoted greater nutrient accumulation by plants compared to continuous irrigation. The descending order of nutrient accumulation by plants under pulse and continuous irrigation was: K > N > Ca > Mg > P > S. Pulse irrigation is effective in mitigating the detrimental effects of using brackish water on peanut crops.