Oilseeds

The Complete Guide to Groundnut Farming

Master the cultivation of 'Verusanaga', the golden crop of the semi-arid regions.

Groundnuts

Introduction to Groundnut

Groundnut, or Verusanaga, is a major oilseed crop especially significant in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. It is unique because its pods develop underground. Success depends on the soil being loose enough for the 'pegs' to penetrate and the pods to expand.

Pegging: The Critical Step

After flowering, the plant produces 'pegs' which grow downwards into the soil to form pods. Ensuring the soil surface is loose and well-moistened during this stage is vital for a good harvest.

Step 1: Soil Conditioning

Sandy loams or red sandy soils are ideal for pod expansion; avoid heavy clay soils that harden when dry.

Detailed Process:

  1. Land Selection: Choose light-textured soils that allow for easy 'peg' penetration and pod development.
  2. Initial Tillage: Plough the field 2-3 times to obtain a deep, friable tilth.
  3. Organic Amendment: Incorporate 10-12 t/ha of FYM or compost to improve soil structure and aeration.
  4. Seedbed Levelling: Level the field perfectly to prevent water stagnation, which can cause pod rot.
  5. Basal Feeding: Apply 20 kg N and 40-60 kg P2O5 per hectare as a basal dose based on soil tests.

Step 2: Pegging Stage Care

The pegging stage (30-40 days after sowing) is the most critical physiological phase for groundnut.

Detailed Process:

  1. Moisture Monitoring: Maintain adequate soil moisture so that the soil surface remains soft for 'pegs' to enter.
  2. Avoid Deep Hoeing: Stop all deep intercultural operations once pegging starts to avoid damaging new pegs.
  3. Surface Looseing: If the soil crusts after rain, perform a very light hoeing only on the surface before pegs enter.
  4. Earthing Up: Perform a light earthing up operation at 35-40 days to facilitate better pod development around the root zone.

Step 3: Gypsum Application

Calcium is vital for pod filling; without it, many pods will remain empty ('pops').

Detailed Process:

  1. Timing: Apply 500 kg/ha of Gypsum around 40-45 days after sowing (flowering/early pegging).
  2. Placement: Spread the gypsum evenly around the base of the plants.
  3. Incorporation: Lightly work the gypsum into the top 3-5 cm of soil.
  4. Oil Boost: The sulfur in gypsum also helps in increasing the oil content of the developing kernels.

Step 4: Harvesting

Harvesting at peak maturity ensures high oil content and prevents pod loss in the soil.

Detailed Process:

  1. Maturity Check: Look for yellowing leaves and a blackish-brown inner pod shell in sample plants.
  2. Harvesting Method: Lift the plants using a groundnut digger or manual pulling when the soil is slightly moist.
  3. Initial Drying: Keep the plants in small inverted heaps for 2-3 days in the sun to cure.
  4. Stripping: Separate the pods from the plants manually or using a mechanical stripper.
  5. Final Curing: Sundry the pods on a clean floor until they produce a rattling sound.
  6. Storage Prep: Ensure pod moisture is 8-9% before storing in a dry, rodent-proof area.

Pro Tip: Gypsum Application

Apply Gypsum at 500 kg per hectare during the flowering/pegging stage. Calcium from Gypsum is essential for pod filling and reduces the occurrences of 'pops' (empty pods) significantly.