Paclobutrazol application effectiveness on growth of two peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Varieties

Abstract

Peanuts productivities in Indonesia during 1986–2003 ranged 0.7 to 1.2 ton/ha dry seeds, although some new varieties having potential yield from 2.0 to 2.5 ton/ha or more, farmers‘ productivity reached only 50–60% of the yield. This research was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of paclobutrazol on the growth and production of peanuts. Experiment was conducted at Bogor Agricultural University farms at Cikabayan. Planting was conducted in April to July 2009, using 2 peanut Varieties, namely Sima and Kelinci. Design of experiment was Split-split plot. Paclobutrazol was applied at 6 and 8 Weeks after Planting, WAP as main plot, Varieties (Sima and Kelinci) was used as sub plot and concentrations of Paclobutrazol (0, 100 and 200 ppm) was used as sub-sub plot with three replicates. Size of experimental unit was (3 x 5) m2, with planting density of 125 000 plants/ha. Urea, SP36 and KCl were applied at planting date at 33.75 kg N, 36 kg P2O5 and 45 kg K2O per ha, respectively. Observation covered growth and production, such as dry matter production, leaf area index, pod number, pod weight, non-structural carbohydrate and total nitrogen in the stem. The results showed that paclobutrazol concentration at 200 ppm increased pod weight and productivity of peanuts, however, did not affect the total soluble carbohydrate and nitrogen content in the stem at 10 WAP. Sima had vigorous growth than that of Kelinci variety showing bigger leaf area and higher chlorophyll.