EFFECTS OF AN ORGANIC BIOSTIMULANT ON THE AGRONOMIC AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF GROUNDNUT CULTIVATION IN REAL-WORLD CONDITIONS IN THE NAKAMBE REGION OF BURKINA FASO

Abstract

In Burkina Faso, climatic hazards and soil degradation negatively affect groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity. This study evaluates the effects of a biostimulant on the productivity and profitability of groundnuts grown in a real-world setting. It was conducted at the Tenkodogo University Center in the Nakambe region. The groundnut variety used was TE3, cultivated according to a completely randomized Fischer block design with four replications and four treatments: T0 (control without fertilizer); T1 (1 liter/ha of biostimulant), T2 (2 liters/ha of biostimulant), and T3 (3 liters/ha of biostimulant). Data were collected on physiological, agronomic, and economic parameters. An analysis of variance using the Newman-Keuls test and gross margin calculations were performed. The physiological parameters (start date and 50% flowering, start date and 50% maturity) of the different treatments showed highly significant differences (p<0.0001). For the agronomic parameters, the treatments had a highly significant effect (p<0.0001) on the number of pods (NG), pod dry weight (PSG), number of seeds (NGr), and foliage dry weight (DWF). The highest seed yield was obtained with the 1 liter/ha treatment, at 1145 kg/ha, and the highest gross margin (776,750 CFA francs/ha). Conversely, the 3 liters/ha treatment resulted in the highest haulm yield (2430 kg/ha). Therefore, the 1 liter/ha treatment could be recommended to producers aiming to improve groundnut grain yield, and the 3 liter/ha treatment for haulm production.