Effects of long-term fertilizer applications on peanut yield and quality and plant and soil heavy metal accumulation

The status of essential and potentially toxic trace elements in soils and crops can be affected by long-term fertilization practices. This study aimed to investigate changes in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield and kernel quality, and changes in copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in soil and peanut kernels after 16 years of continuous cropping with different fertilization treatments. Five fertilization treatments were applied at a red soil site in Southeast China: chemical fertilizer (F) containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, F + trace elements (FT), pig manure (M), M effective microorganisms (MB), and MB + trace elements (MBT). Properties of soil and pig manure, heavy metal contents in soil and peanut kernels, and the compositions of amino and fatty acids in kernels were determined. Application of pig manure significantly increased peanut biomass, kernel yield, and crude protein and total amino acid contents in kernels, but led to higher amounts of Cu, Zn, and Cd in soil and higher amounts of Zn and Cd in peanut kernels compared with that of chemical fertilizer. There should be greater concern about potential kernel Cd and Zn contaminations resulting from long-term application of pig manure contaminated with potentially toxic metals as an organic fertilizer.