Effect of Boron Foliar Spray on Groundnut Pod Development and Yield in Jigawa State

Boron is an essential micronutrient for pollen tube growth, pod development, and seed filling in groundnut, and its deficiency in calcareous sandy soils of Jigawa State may limit productivity despite adequate macronutrient management. This study investigated the effect of three boron foliar spray concentrations (0, 0.1, and 0.3 percent borax solution) applied at flowering stage on pod development, seed filling, and grain yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Hadejia LGA, Jigawa State, North West Nigeria. A randomised complete block design experiment with three replications was conducted during the 2023 rainy season using SAMNUT 26 variety. Pod number per plant, pod length, seed weight per pod, shelling percentage, 100-seed weight, and pod yield were recorded at harvest. Foliar boron content was also determined from leaf samples. Results showed that the 0.3 percent borax foliar spray significantly increased pod number per plant (22.7 versus 16.3 for the control), 100-seed weight (55.8 g versus 48.2 g), and pod yield (2.31 tonnes per hectare versus 1.74 t ha-1). Leaf boron content analysis confirmed deficiency in control plants (below 25 mg kg-1) and adequate status in treated plants. The 0.1 percent concentration showed intermediate improvements that were significant for yield but not for seed weight. The study recommends boron foliar spray at 0.3 percent borax at early flowering as a cost-effective yield enhancement practice for groundnut production in boron-deficient soils of Jigawa State.

Keywords: boron foliar spray, groundnut, pod yield, micronutrient deficiency, Jigawa State