Must Know Groundnuts Growing Tips

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 8^th - 10^th 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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