LIGHT AND CO₂ INTERACTION ON PEANUT GROWN IN NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE

The response of ‘Georgia Red’ peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to elevated CO₂ of 400 (ambient), 800, 1200, and 1600 µmol mol^-1, and photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) of 350 and 700 µmol m^-2s^-1 was evaluated under controlled conditions using the nutrient film technique (NFT). Growth chamber conditions included a 12 h photoperiod, 28/24°C thermoperiod and 70±5% relative humidity (RH). Plants were grown for 110 days using a modified half-Hoagland nutrient solution with a pH range of 6.4-6.7 and an electrical conductivity of 1200 µS cm^-1. Foliage fresh and dry weights increased with both CO₂ and PPF, while harvest index (HI) increased with CO₂ but was not significantly affected by PPF. Pod fresh weight declined with increased CO₂ while pod dry weight increased with PPF. Seed yield was significantly enhanced by both increased carbon dioxide and high PPF. Elevated CO₂ did not affect light or CO₂ response curves.
These results indicate that the level of PPF exerted a greater effect in enhancing peanut growth and seed yield in NFT than did the CO₂ concentration.

International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics

D.G. Mortley, J.H. Hill, D.R. Hileman, C.K. Bonsi, W.A. Hill

Arachis hypogaea, hydroponics, photosynthesis, gas exchange

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2001.548.37