Interaction of Ca and B Absorption by Ground Peanut on Rhodic Paleudalfs as Affected by Dolomite and Boric Acid Applications

Abstract: A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dolomite and boric acid applications on the absorption of B and Ca by the two cultivars of ground peanut on Rhodic Paleudalfs. The treatments consisted of 4 levels of dolomit (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 ton ha-1), dan 2 levels of boric acid (0 and 14.2 kg ha-1), arranged in a factorial combination with 2 cultivars of peanut (Kelinci and Lokal Purworejo). The results indicated that the soil physico-chemical properties of the Rhodic Paleudalfs as follow: pH-H2O ±5.2, OM 2.2 %, CEC 25.9 cmol(+) kg-1), Ca2+ 10.7 cmol(+) kg-1), Mg2+ 5.78 cmol(+) kg-1), K+ 0.25 cmol(+) kg-1), Fed 7.1 %, Feo 2.3 %, Fep 0.1 %, Ald 3.7 %, Alo 0.004 %, Alp 0.0004 %, hot water extracted B 0.24 ppm, N-total 0.02 %, sand 20.1 %, silt 28.3 % and clay 51.6 %. Application of dolomite increased the soil pH, and Ca-Mg availability, but decreased the solubility of Al3+. Increasing the Ca2+ content in the soil resulted decrease in the availability of B. This was indicated that interaction between the both nutrients is antagonistic. It is likely Ca2+ complexed the anion borat to form insoluble Ca-metaborate. The plant growth and B absorption of the cv.Kelinci was better than the cv. Lokal Purworejo. The B absorption by the both cultivars were categorized as a high rate. Increasing the Ca absorption by the plant resulted an increase in B absorption by the plant as such. This was indicated that interaction between the both nutrients is sinergistic. Keywords: Ground Peanut, Boron, Rhodic Paleudalfs, Dolomite, Boric aci