Abstract
Abiotic stresses in sandy soil, which include saline water, saline soil, and lack of nutrients, affect the productivity and quality traits of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L). Elemental calcium (Ca2+) is necessary for the proper development of peanut pods. This work aimed at comparing conventional Ca and nano-Ca form effects on peanut production and quality traits. Two randomized complete block field experiments were conducted in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Treatments were control, gypsum plus calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)(2), Ca(NO3)(2), and chelated calcium, as well as 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 12.5% of Ca(NO3)(2) doses in a nano form. The results indicated that the treatment of gypsum plus conventional CaNO3 achieved the highest yield and best quality traits, followed by the Ca(NO3)(2) and 100% nano Ca(NO3)(2) treatments. The treatments of the control, gypsum, and 12.5% nano Ca(NO3)(2) had the lowest effect on peanut performance. The conventional treatment of gypsum plus Ca(NO3)(2) resulted in the greatest seed yield (1.6 ton ha(-1)), oil yield (700.3 kg ha(-1)), and protein yield (380.1 kg ha(-1)). Peanuts may benefit from Ca2+ better by using gypsum as the soil application and calcium nitrate as the foliar application to prevent disorders of Ca2+ deficiency under sandy soil conditions.