Origin
Groundnut, also called peanut, is believed to have originated in South America, especially in the regions of Brazil and Peru. It spread to other parts of the world through trade and colonial activities. Portuguese explorers are credited with introducing groundnut to India during their colonial period. Over time, the crop has adapted well to Indian conditions and has become a staple oilseed crop.
Geographical Distribution in India
Groundnut is extensively grown in India, especially in the semi-arid and tropical regions. Major groundnut-producing states are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat leads the country in terms of both area and production, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Groundnut is cultivated in all three seasons: Kharif, Rabi, and Summer, depending on the state.
Economic Importance
- Groundnut is a vital oilseed crop, providing nearly 25–30% of India’s total oilseed production.
- The seeds contain 40–50% oil and 25–30% protein, making them highly nutritious.
- Used widely in edible oil production, peanut butter, confectionery, and as a roasted snack.
- Groundnut oilcake is a rich organic manure and is also used as animal feed.
- Shells are used as fuel, in particle board manufacturing, and sometimes as mulching material in agriculture.
Soil and Climatic Requirements
- Soil: Prefers well-drained sandy loam to loamy soils with good fertility and moderate organic matter. Ideal pH range: 6.0 to 7.5.
- Climate: Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with warm temperatures (25°C to 35°C) and moderate rainfall (500–1000 mm). Sensitive to frost and waterlogging.
Land Preparation
Land should be prepared to a fine tilth by deep ploughing followed by 2–3 harrowings. Incorporate well-rotted FYM @ 10–15 tons/ha during land preparation. Raised beds or broad bed furrow systems improve aeration and moisture retention.
Popular Varieties Developed in India
- Bunch types: TG 26, TG 37A, JL 24, GG 7, Kadiri 6
- Spreading types: GG 2, GG 20, TG 38, ICGV 91114
- Variety selection depends on the region, season, and purpose (oilseed or edible use).
Seed Requirement
- Kharif: 80–100 kg/ha
- Rabi/Summer: 100–120 kg/ha
- Seed treatment with fungicides like Thiram or Carbendazim and inoculation with biofertilizers like Rhizobium and PSB enhances productivity.
Sowing Time
- Kharif: June–July, with the onset of monsoon
- Rabi: October–November in Southern India
- Summer: January–February after harvesting Rabi crops
Cropping Systems
- Intercropping: Groundnut + red gram, sunflower, or castor
- Sequential Cropping: Groundnut followed by wheat, chickpea, vegetables, or maize
- Suitable for crop rotation due to its legume nature and nitrogen-fixing ability.
Fertilizer Requirements
- Basal dose per hectare:
- Nitrogen: 15–20 kg
- Phosphorus: 40–60 kg
- Potassium: 40–60 kg
- Apply gypsum @ 250 kg/ha at flowering stage to promote better pod formation and development.
Water Requirements
Groundnut requires 4–6 irrigations during its life cycle, depending on the season and soil moisture conditions. The critical stages for irrigation are flowering, pegging, and pod development. Avoid excess irrigation and stagnant water to prevent fungal diseases.
Weed Management
- Hand weeding at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) is recommended.
- Use pre-emergence herbicide like Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha for initial weed control.
- Intercultural operations and mulching can further suppress weed growth.
Diseases and Their Management
- Tikka leaf spot: Controlled by spraying Mancozeb @ 2.5 g/litre.
- Rust: Managed using Chlorothalonil @ 2.5 g/litre.
- Collar rot: Prevented by treating seeds with Trichoderma viride or Carbendazim before sowing.
Insect Pests and Their Management
- Leaf miner and aphids: Spray Dimethoate @ 2 ml/litre of water.
- Helicoverpa armigera: Spray Spinosad @ 1.5 ml/litre during flowering stage.
- Termites: Use chlorpyrifos as a soil treatment during field preparation.
Harvesting and Threshing
Groundnut should be harvested when 70–80% of the pods are mature, and leaves turn yellow. Plants are uprooted manually or with diggers and then sun-dried for 4–5 days. Pods are separated by beating, mechanical threshers, or manually, depending on scale.
Yield
- Rainfed conditions: 15–20 quintals per hectare
- Irrigated conditions: 25–30 quintals per hectare with improved agronomic practices
Post-Harvest Operations
- Dry pods to around 8% moisture before storage to avoid fungal attack.
- Store in well-ventilated, dry warehouses in gunny bags or air-tight containers.
- Pods are graded based on size and shelling percentage.
- Oil is extracted using expellers; the residual cake is used as feed or fertilizer.