Enhancing peanut productivity through application of irradiated κ- carrageenan

Abstract

On-field verification trials were conducted to determine the effect of various rates of Olio-carrageenan (PGP) on Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) and rust and yield of peanut varieties specifically, BPI Pn9 and Farmer’s variety. The statistical design of the field trial was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates per treatment per experiment. The CLS and rust infections were significantly reduced with the application of 150ppm PGP by 15.2% and 36.2%, respectively. The BPI Pn 9 peanut variety applied with PGP consistently and significantly had higher pod yield up to 2.14 t/ha and seed yield of 1.63 t/ha with a corresponding 37.6% and 34.5% increase, respectively. At least Php45,771 per hectare additional income was realized from the application of PGP with a maximum MBCR of 12.3%. For Farmer’s peanut variety, significant increase of 23.6% on pod yield and 36.5% on seed yield were obtained resulting to an additional income of Php 18,400/ha up to 37,800/ha with an MBCR of 21.81%.