Favourable Climate

• Warm and moist conditions are very favorable.
• Cool and wet climate, results in slow germination and seedling emergence, increasing the risk of seed rot and seedling diseases.

• The optimum temperature for most rapid germination and seedling development is about 30°C.
• Temperatures above 35°C inhibit the growth of groundnut.
• Low temperature at sowing delays germination and increases seed and seedling diseases.
• During ripening period it requires about a month of warm and dry weather.

• Flowering, pegging and pod formation stages are the most critical stages when water must be available for maximum yield and quality of groundnut.
• Water requirement- Equivalent to 600-1500 mm of rainfall.

Favourable Soil

• Well drained, light colored, loose sandy loam to Sandy clay loam soil.

• Require range 5.5 to 7.0
• If pH is <5.5 add Lime.
• If pH is >7.0 add Gypsum.
• Strongly acid and alkaline soils are not suitable for growing groundnut.

Planting Material

Seed Treatment

• Treat the seeds with
• Imidacloprid- 2 ml
• Instructions- Mix the above quantity in two liters of water for one kg of seeds. Deep the seeds in solution for 10 min & then shade dry for 15 min.
• Carbendazim- 2 gram
• Instructions- Treated seeds are to be again treated with the Carbendazim 2 gram for 1 kg of seeds. Apply it on seed by rubbing it on seed surface.
• Seed Rate:
• Variety: 50-60 kg per acre
• Hybrid: 40-42 kg per acre

Sowing

• Pods should be shelled one week before sowing. Medium sized seeds should be used for sowing purposes.
• Dibble the seeds at a depth of 4-5 cm along the furrow with the help of bullock drawn seed drill or manually.
• In manual method less seeds will require and also germination will be better.

Land Preparation

• Ploughing method- Plough the land 1 or 2 times based on soil type.
• Mix the following in field and keep it in open air for 10 days for proper decomposition- FYM- 2 tons Composting Bacteria- 3 kg
• Spread the above mixture over soil and run rotavator to the entire field making the soil as a fine tilth.
• Bed preparation- Prepare ridges and furrows 1 ft or 1.5 ft apart with the help of tractor.

Spacing and Plant Population

Nutrient Management

• Total Requirement- 10:20:00 N:P:K kg/acre.
• At sowing apply- 22 kg Urea 123 kg Single Super Phosphate 80 kg Gypsum
• 45 Days after sowing- 80 kg Gypsum (Gypsum is added for yield improvement).

Irrigation

• Flood- 8-10 days interval.
• Summer season- 5-6 days interval.
• First irrigation should be given 4-5 days after sowing.
• Critical stages for irrigation- Flowering stage (20-30 days) Peg formation (40-45 days) Pod development stage (65-70 days)

Intercultural Operations

Harvesting

• 110-120 Days after sowing

• When leaves become yellow, outer cover of pod become hard.

• Groundnut crop is harvested by digging pods or by pulling the plants from field.

Yield

• Kharif- 7-8 quintal per acre
• Summer- 10-12 quintal per acre