Effect of Solution pH and Calcium Concentration on Germination and Early Growth of Groundnut

Abstract

Most investigations on the effect of acid soil on legumes have focused on growth, nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and mineral nutrient uptake. Very little attention has been given to the effects of H⁺ toxicity per se and calcium (Ca) deficiency per se on germination and seedling survival of legumes, particularly groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). This paper reports the effects of solution pH and external Ca on seed germination, seedling survival, and growth of groundnut cv. Falcon in sand culture. The treatments consisted of solution pH values ranging from 3.0 to 6.0 in Experiments 1 and 2, and a factorial combination of pH (3.5, 4.5, and 5.5) and Ca (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mM) in Experiments 3 and 4. The percentage of groundnut kernels that germinated was little affected by solution pH, and ranged from 86% at pH 3.0 to 92% at pH 6.0. By contrast, seedling survival was more sensitive to pH, with only 51% surviving at pH 3.0 compared with 85% and 92% at pH 5.0 and 6.0, respectively. Increasing the solution Ca concentration diminished the adverse effects of low pH on germination and seedling survival. Total root length increased 425‐fold as the pH was increased from 3.0 to 6.0. Increasing the Ca concentration from 0 to 2.0 mM Ca increased root length by 140% and total root surface area by 95%. Lateral root formation was retarded by the combination of low Ca and low pH. Shoot and root dry mass increased with increasing solution pH and Ca concentration. Results of this study indicate that low pH per se did not impact on germination of groundnut, but significantly reduced seedling survival and early growth. The adverse effects of low pH on seedling growth of groundnut were alleviated by high solution Ca concentrations.

Keywords:

• Calcium
• Groundnut
• Sand culture
• Seedling growth
• Seedling survival
• Solution pH

Acknowledgments

The Rockefeller Foundation, to whom the authors are greatly indebted, provided funding for this study. The authors are grateful to Mr. E. Beyers for technical assistance rendered during the study.