Combined calcium, boron, and molybdenum fertilization enhances peanut biomass, yield, and economic returns in the Huaibei plain.

To clarify the effects of sole and combined applications of calcium(Ca), boron(B), and molybdenum(Mo) fertilizers on peanut biomass accumulation, yield formation, and economic benefits, a field experiment was conducted in 2024 in Zhengyang County, Zhumadian City, Henan Province, China. Eight treatments were established: CK, Ca, B, Mo, Ca+B, Ca+Mo, B+Mo, and Ca+B+Mo, with three replicates for each treatment. Peanut biomass, yield components, and economic benefit indicators were determined, and the results were comprehensively evaluated using one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's honestly significant difference(HSD) test, three-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and principal component analysis. The results showed that all micronutrient treatments increased peanut biomass, yield, and economic benefits to varying degrees, among which the Ca+B+Mo treatment performed the best. Under this treatment, total biomass, pod yield, kernel yield, and profit reached 11,544.60 kg ha-1, 5,518.35 kg ha-1, 3,962.10 kg ha-1, and 38,814.60 CNY ha-1, respectively, representing increases of 14.56%, 25.89%, 31.95%, and 39.72% compared with CK. One-way ANOVA indicated that all biomass, yield, and economic benefit indices differed significantly or highly significantly among treatments. Three-way ANOVA showed that Ca, B, and Mo had significant main effects on kernel yield, profit, and the benefit-cost ratio, among which Mo made the greatest contribution to total biomass, kernel yield, profit, and the benefit-cost ratio. Moreover, the B×Mo interaction had significant or highly significant effects on total biomass, kernel yield, profit, and the benefit-cost ratio. Correlation analysis showed that total biomass, kernel yield, and harvest index were all highly significantly and positively correlated with profit. Principal component analysis indicated that the first two principal components cumulatively explained 99.30% of the total variation, and the comprehensive ranking of treatments was as follows: Ca+B+Mo > Ca+Mo > Ca+B > B+Mo > Mo > B > Ca > CK. In conclusion, the combined application of Ca, B, and Mo significantly promoted peanut dry matter accumulation and improved yield and economic benefits, with the ternary combined treatment showing the best overall performance. Under the current experimental conditions, this treatment can be recommended as an optimal micronutrient fertilization strategy for peanut production in the study area; however, multi-year and multi-site validation across different cultivars, soil types, and climates is required before broader recommendations can be made.