General Production
Requirements
1.
Groundnut is adapted to a wide range of climatic
conditions. It is most susceptible to drought damage during flowering and
kernel filling. It is not generally irrigated.
2.
Popular varieties are; Chipego, Natal commone,
Makulu Red, MGS250, Nyanda, Kadonongo, Chalimbana, MGV4, Luena and Comet.
3.
Maturity period differs between different varieties
but in the range of 20 to 21 weeks.
4.
A well-managed groundnut crop will yield 5 to 10 x
50kg bags per Lima (1 to 2mt/ha) dried nuts.
5.
Large seeded groundnuts growing in acidic soils
produce pops (empty kernels).
Land
Preparation/Soil Type
· Sandy Loam to
soils with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal.
· Effective
rooting depth is 30cm.
· Apply 20 x 50kg
agricultural lime 60 to 90 days before planting (more if soil pH is too low).
· Plough and
harrow to a 30cm fine tilth seedbed.
· Construct 15cm
high ridges 75cm apart.
Planting
· Sow directly on
ridges 75cm apart, 5cm deep at seed rates of 17.5kg seed per Lima (70kgs/ ha).
· Space the
plants at 10cm between plants and 75cm between ridges to give a plant
population of 133,000 plants /hectare.
· Recommended
time of planting is 8th - 10th December.
Fertilizer
Programme
· At planting
broadcast Soya Mix B at 25gm/m2 (250kg/ha).
Management
Practices
1.
Weeds compete with plants for nutrients and
space; they can reduce yields by more than 25%. Keep the field free from weeds
at all times.
2.
Dust over the plants 200kg/ha gypsum during flowering as Calcium
supplementation to safeguard against pops (empty shells).
3.
Common groundnut diseases are early and late leaf
spot which can be prevented by good crop hygiene and crop rotation. Aflatoxin and Afloroot which
can be avoided by timely harvesting and rapid drying, also store in a dry
place.
4. Termites attack late harvested crop. Harvest the crop as soon as the lower leaves turn yellow, the inside linings of the shell show brown markings, kernels are plump, firm and coloured.
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