Table of Content
- Introduction
- Method of Growing
- Varieties of Groundnut Available in the Market of Rajasthan
Groundnut, also known as peanut, is a crucial crop for farmers worldwide, especially in India. It is a rich source of protein, oil, and essential nutrients, making it a valuable crop for both consumption and commercial purposes. Groundnut cultivation has numerous benefits, including soil enrichment, as it is a legume that fixes nitrogen and reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizers. The crop is also drought-resistant to some extent, making it suitable for the semi-arid regions typical of many parts of India. Additionally, groundnuts contribute to the agricultural economy by providing raw materials for the edible oil industry, livestock feed, and various food products.
Method of Growing Groundnut
Growing groundnut involves several stages, each requiring “Carefulplanning and execution are crucial to ensure a successful harvest.”. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Land Preparation
- Soil Selection: Groundnut thrives in well-drained sandy loamor loamy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. Avoid heavy clay soils, as they can hinder root and pod development.
- Plowing: Plow the land deeply to a depth of 15-20 cm to break up compacted soil and promote good root penetration. Follow this with harrowing to create a fine tilth suitable for sowing seeds.
- Bed Formation: Form raised beds or ridges to improve drainage and reduce waterlogging, which can lead to diseases like stem rot.
Seed Selection and Treatment
- Seed Quality: Select high-quality seeds free from pests, diseases, and mechanical damage. Certified seeds from reputable suppliers are recommended for better germination rates and yield.
- Seed Treatment: To protect against seed-borne diseases, treat the seeds with fungicides like Thiram or Captan at 3g per kg of seed. Additionally, the seeds can be inoculated with Rhizobium culture to enhance nitrogen fixation.
Sowing
- Sowing Time: For the Kharif season, sowing should be done with the onset of the monsoon, typically between June and July.
- Sowing Method: Sow the seeds at a 5-6 cm depth using a seed drill or manual dibbling. Maintain a row-to-row spacing of 30-45 cm and plant-to-plant spacing of 10-15 cm.
Irrigation and Fertilization
- Irrigation: IT requires regular irrigation, especially during the critical growth stages of flowering, pegging, and pod formation. Drip irrigation is recommended for efficient water use.
- Fertilization: Apply a basal dose of 20-25 kg of nitrogen, 40-50 kg of phosphorus, and 30-40 kg of potassium per hectare. Split the nitrogen dose into two applications – half at sowing and the other half at the flowering stage.
Weed Management
- Weeds Competition: Weeds compete with groundnuts for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Pre-emergence herbicides like Pendimethalin can control weeds at 1-1.5 kg per hectare. Manual weeding or mechanical cultivation can occur 2-3 times during the growing season.
Pest and Disease Management
- Common Pests: Control aphids with neem oil sprays or insecticides like Imidacloprid. Use Spinosad or Fipronil to manage thrips infestation.
- Common Diseases: To manage leaf spot disease, apply fungicides like Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil. Ensure proper drainage and avoid waterlogging to prevent stem rot.
Harvesting
- Harvest Time: Groundnuts are ready for harvesting when the leaves turn yellow, and the inner shells of the pods become dark. Harvesting usually takes place 90-120 days after sowing. Mechanical diggers or manual labor lift the plants, and then they are left to dry in the field for 2-3 days before the pods are removed.
Varieties of Groundnut Available in the Market of Rajasthan
GG-10 Groundnut :
Development: Developed by agricultural research institutions in India, GG-10 is bred to cater to specific regional requirements, particularly in states like Gujarat.
Characteristics:
- High Yield Potential: GG-10 offers significantly higher yields than traditional groundnut varieties, ensuring better productivity and profitability for farmers.
- Early to Medium Maturity: Typically ready for harvest in about 100-110 days, making it suitable for regions requiring early crop turnover.
- Semi-Spreading Growth Habit: Promotes better aeration and reduces disease incidence, contributing to healthier plants and improved yields.
- Well-Filled Pods: Pods contain two to three seeds each, providing medium to large, high-quality seeds.
- Reddish-Brown Seed Coat: The attractive seed coat color is preferred in many markets, enhancing marketability.
Adaptability: GG-10 thrives in warm climates with well-distributed rainfall, making it ideal for semi-arid and arid regions. It prefers well-drained sandy loam soils, ensuring optimal plant health and productivity.
Disease and Pest Resistance: GG-10 is resistant to common groundnut diseases such as leaf spot and rust, reducing the need for chemical treatments and lowering production costs. It also exhibits some tolerance to pests like aphids and white grubs.
- GG-20 Groundnut:
Development: Developed by Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) in Gujarat, India, GG-20 is specifically bred to meet the needs of farmers in the region and to excel in local growing conditions.
Characteristics:
- High Yield Potential: GG-20 is known for its high yield potential, often surpassing GG-10 and other traditional varieties.
- Medium Maturity: Typically maturing in about 115-120 days, GG-20 offers a balance between early and late-maturing varieties.
- Semi-Spreading Growth Habit: Similar to GG-10, GG-20’s growth habit promotes better aeration and reduces disease incidence.
- Medium to Large Pods: These well-filled pods contain two to three seeds each, ensuring good seed quality and marketability.
- Pinkish-Brown Seed Coat: GG-20 seeds have a distinctive pinkish-brown seed coat, adding to their visual appeal.
Adaptability: GG-20 is adaptable to warm climates and semi-arid conditions, making it well-suited to the Agro-climatic conditions of Gujarat and similar regions. It prefers well-drained sandy loam to loam soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
Disease and Pest Resistance: GG-20 resists major groundnut diseases such as early and late leaf spots, rust, and stem rot. It also exhibits tolerance to common pests like aphids and jassids.
TG-37 Groundnut
TG-37 is a specific variety of groundnut (peanut) seeds developed to address farmers’ needs and enhance groundnut cultivation productivity. Its unique traits and adaptability to various agro-climatic conditions characterize this variety. Here’s an overview of the TG-37 groundnut variety:
Development:
Origin: Developed by agricultural research institutions or breeding programs, TG-37 is bred through selective breeding techniques To enhance crop yield, disease resistance, and other desirable traits. Traits.
Characteristics:
- High Yield Potential: TG-37 is known for its high yield potential, often surpassing traditional groundnut varieties. Its ability to produce abundant harvests contributes to increased profitability for farmers.
- Maturity Duration: TG-37 typically matures within a specific duration, usually around 110-120 days after sowing. This medium maturity duration allows for timely harvesting and crop management.
- Pod and Seed Characteristics: TG-37’s pods are well-filled and contain two to three seeds each. The seeds are medium to large, with a desirable shape and uniformity.
- Disease Resistance: TG-37 exhibits good resistance to common groundnut diseases such as leaf spot, rust, and stem rot. This resistance helps reduce crop losses and the need for chemical interventions, making it environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
- Adaptability: TG-37 can thrive in diverseclimates and soil types, making it suitable for cultivation in various regions. It thrives in warm climates with well-drained soils, though specific recommendations may vary based on local agroecological conditions.
Cultivation Practices:
- Planting Time: TG-37 is typically sown at the beginning of the growing season or during the onset of the monsoon rains, ensuring optimal germination and early growth.
- Spacing: Recommended planting spacing for TG-37 may vary depending on local conditions, but adequate spacing between rows and plants within rows is essential to optimize plant growth and yield potential.
- Fertilization: Proper fertilization with balanced nutrients is crucial for maximizing the yield potential of TG-37. Adequate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium application, tailored to soil requirements and crop growth stages, can enhance productivity and crop health.
Economic Importance:
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- Market Demand: TG-37 groundnuts are valued for their high quality, good yield, and disease resistance, making them sought after in local and international markets.
- Profitability: The high yield potential and disease resistance of TG-37 contribute to increased profitability for farmers, supporting livelihoods and rural economies.
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Groundnut 441: A High-Yielding Groundnut Variety
Groundnut 441 is a specific variety of groundnut (peanut) seeds renowned for its exceptional yield potential and adaptability to various Agro-climatic conditions. Developed through rigorous breeding programs, Groundnut 441 is a preferred choice among farmers aiming to enhance productivity and profitability in groundnut cultivation. Here’s an overview of Groundnut 441:
Development:
Origin: Groundnut 441 is developed by agricultural research institutions or breeding programs focusing on improving yield, disease resistance, and other desirable traits.
Characteristics:
- High Yield Potential: Groundnut 441 is celebrated for its remarkable yield potential, consistently outperforming traditional groundnut varieties. Its ability to produce abundant harvests translates to increased income for farmers.
- Maturity Duration: Groundnut 441 typically matures within a specific duration, usually around 110-120 days after sowing. This medium maturity duration allows for timely harvesting and efficient crop management.
- Pod and Seed Characteristics: The pods of Groundnut 441 are well-filled and contain two to three seeds each. The seeds are medium to large, with a uniform shape and desirable traits for processing and consumption.
- Disease Resistance: Groundnut 441 exhibits excellent resistance to common groundnut diseases such as leaf spot, rust, and stem rot. This resistance minimizes crop losses and reduces the need for chemical interventions, promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices.
- Adaptability: Groundnut 441 demonstrates adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions, making it suitable for cultivation in diverse agroecological zones. It thrives in warm climates with well-drained soils, though specific recommendations may vary based on local conditions.
Cultivation Practices:
- Planting Time: Groundnut 441 is typically sown at the beginning of the growing season or during the onset of the monsoon rains to ensure optimal germination and early growth.
- Spacing: Adequate spacing between rows and plants within rows is essential to optimize plant growth and yield potential. Recommended planting spacing may vary depending on local conditions and agronomic practices.
- Fertilization: Proper fertilization with balanced nutrients is crucial for maximizing the yield potential of Groundnut 441. Adequate application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, tailored to soil requirements and crop growth stages, can enhance productivity and crop health.
Economic Importance:
- Market Demand: Groundnut 441 seeds are highly valued for their superior quality, high yield, and disease resistance, making them sought after in local and international markets.
- Profitability: The exceptional yield potential and disease resistance of Groundnut 441 contribute to increased profitability for farmers, supporting livelihoods and rural economies.
