Influence of Boron Application on the Early Growth and Nutritional Management of Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Objective - This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of boric acid applied to peanut seeds (Arachis Hypogaea L.), with emphasis on their impact on seed germination, root growth, and shoot development of seedlings.

Methodology - The research was conducted using a quantitative and applied approach, through an experiment carried out at the Botany Laboratory of UNESP – Campus Tupã/SP. A randomized block design was adopted, with six treatments and four replications. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparison test, with a 5% significance level.

Originality/Relevance - This study addresses a relevant gap in agronomic literature by experimentally investigating the threshold between boron deficiency and toxicity in peanut crops—an area still underexplored for this species. Its originality lies in the integrated assessment of seed germination and vegetative development in response to increasing doses of boron.

Results - The results showed that doses exceeding 60 mg of boron per kilogram of seed negatively affected germination. However, these same doses promoted increased root and shoot growth in the seedlings that emerged. The 60 mg/kg dose stood out as the most effective, offering a balance between viable germination and seedling vigor.

Theoretical/Methodological Contributions - The study reinforces the importance of precision nutritional management in seed treatment, contributing theoretically to the understanding of the physiological responses of peanut plants to boron and methodologically to the refinement of experimental practices in seed analysis.

Social and Environmental Contributions - The findings provide technical support for more efficient use of micronutrients, promoting sustainable and evidence-based agricultural practices, especially in peanut-producing regions such as Tupã/SP. The implementation of such practices can reduce input waste, enhance productivity, and support responsible agriculture.