The following article details about how to grow groundnuts.
1. Utilisation
Groundnut is a readily available source of protein, oil, vitamin E
and several other mineral elements. The groundnut crop also replenishes soil
fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. It is a source of cash for many
farmers and its haulms and straws can be used as animal feed.
2. Land
Preparation
Land preparation must be done early enough (July or August) to allow
decomposition of residues before the growing/rainy season.
Residues should be buried under and the soils be ploughed deep (25 -
30cm deep) to achieve looseness for pegs to easily penetrate.
Make flat topped ridges (beds) spaced at 75cm apart.
3. Planting
Plant with the first effective rains (approximately 25 - 30mm). Make
a groove 5 - 6cm deep on the middle of the ridge, drop a single seed every 15cm
(75cm x 15cm x 1cm). Cover the groove firmly to ensure rapid and uniform
emergence.
4. Seed
Use about 35kg/ha.
5. Weeding
Weed at least twice during the critical stage of growth which is the
first 3 to 6 weeks after germination. Hand weeding should be done during
pegging to avoid damage to developing pods. Chemical weed control can also be
done using herbicides such as Dual Magnum, Roundup and Harness.
6. Fertiliser
& Manure Application
Generally, groundnuts perform well following a well fertilized maize
crop, so long as phosphorus, calcium and sulphur-containing fertilizers such as
23:21:0+4S were applied.
Farmers should apply single superphosphate before or at sowing at a
rate of 100kg/ha to ensure good plant establishment and high yields. The
fertilizer should be applied in a band on the ridge, or broadcasted onto the
soil and ploughed under before sowing as a basal dressing.
Top dressing with Gypsum at a rate of 200kg/ha directly at the base
of the plant when 30% of the plants have flowered helps to correct calcium
deficiency and reduce groundnut pops.
7. Pest and
Disease Control
Most important and widespread diseases of groundnut include
Groundnut Rosette, Early and Late leaf spots and Rust. Generally, these
diseases can be controlled by early sowing, crop rotation with a cereal, and
removing and destroying all volunteer crops. Important pests include termites,
aphids and Hilda spp. Termites can be controlled by deep ploughing, applying
pesticides like Dursban, while aphids can be controlled by sowing early and
removing volunteer crops. Hilda spp can be controlled by keeping the groundnut
field and area around the field free of weeds.
Harvest groundnut timely to avoid bleaching, dis-colouration of
nuts, sprouting, pods remaining in the ground, and aflatoxin contamination.
Maturity can be checked by lifting a few pods and examining the inside of the
shell. When 75% of sampled plants show that the inside of the shell is spotted
pale brown (spotted dark colour markings) with plump kernels that have reverted
to the characteristic colour of the variety, then the groundnuts are mature and
ready for harvesting. Dig groundnuts and leave them in windrows for a short
period (1 - 5 days) to reduce moisture from 40 - 50% on lifting to 18 - 24%,
after which drying should continue under shade or in Mandela corks to reduce
moisture content further to the recommended storage level of 7 - 9%.
9. Stripping,
Storage and Shelling
Remove groundnut from straws using hands or groundnut strippers.
Store the groundnuts in pods and in well ventilated containers and structures
to avoid mould development and aflatoxin contamination. Recommended storage
pesticides can be applied. Groundnut are shelled by hand or mechanical shellers
prior to sowing or selling. Do not wet pods prior to shelling as this may lead
to development of moulds and aflatoxin contamination. Grade properly, taking
out shrivelled, rotten, mouldy and split nuts.
For further info, you can Download the following PDF guide Groundnut Production - N2Africa now. Feel free to copy and share this with your friends and family.
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