Origin Of Groundnut
Groundnut, also known as peanut, is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible seed. Taxonomically, it is classified as Arachis hypogaea, and it is grown mostly in the tropics and subtropics. Groundnut originated in Brazil; it can be grown on a small and large scale.
Groundnut is an annual crop that grows 6 to 30 inches tall. The fruit is about 3cm to 4cm long with a light and edible shell that is easily breakable to remove the seeds. It has small lumps where the seeds are placed, 1 to 6 seeds, oblong-rounded and covered by a thin reddish-brown skin that you can easily remove.
Peanut production in southern European and Asian countries is significant because they contribute around two-thirds of the world harvest. It is also an important oil source in tropical America, occupying second place after palm oil in Africa.
Peanuts can be eaten fried, boiled, or roasted. It has a bitter taste when eaten raw and a sweet taste when processed. Confectionery companies use peanuts to make peanut butter, bread, biscuits, and other bakery products.
Nutrient Composition Of Groundnut
Groundnuts are packed with healthy fats and high-quality protein. They’re also fairly high in calories. Below are the nutrient components for 100 grams of raw peanuts.
- Calories: 567
- Water: 7%
- Total Protein: 25.8 grams
- Total Carbohydrate: 16.1 grams
- Sugar: 4.7 grams
- Fiber: 8.5 grams
- Total Fat: 49.2 grams
Medicinal Properties And Uses Of Groundnut
Groundnuts are healthy and have a lot of benefits attached to them. Below are some of the benefits of Groundnut to the human body:
- Eating groundnuts may prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer due to their oleic acid content.
- Peanuts contain minerals like potassium and phosphorus, essential minerals for muscular and nervous activity.
- Peanuts are as popular as they are healthy. They are a great source of protein and rich in various vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds.
- Groundnuts can lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and prevent plaque development in the blood vessels due to LDL.
- Peanuts contain vitamin B3 or niacin content, whose health benefits include normal brain functioning and boosting memory power.
- Groundnut also contains a good amount of folate; this helps promote fertility in women.
- Peanuts or groundnuts are called energy-dense foods because they help with weight loss.
- Eating peanuts may lower the risk of heart disease and gallstones.
- All the amino acids and protein are present in peanuts; they can be taken as a supplement for hair growth.
- Producers of confectionary products use groundnuts to make groundnut butter.
How To Grow Groundnut
Below are the things to know before growing groundnuts.
Yield Information Of Groundnut Of Groundnut
- Groundnuts germinate within five to ten days after planting, and each plant produces between 25 and 50 peanuts; yellow flowers develop within 25 days to 40 days. The plant sends pegs into the soil upon pollination, and then the peanuts grow on this peg underground.
- The fruiting period of groundnut occurs within two months. All pods do not ripen or mature at the same time.
- Maturity of groundnuts occurs within 90-130 days, depending on the variety.
- The plant produces 40 and above pods after flowering.
Nursery And Transplant Requirements Of Groundnut
Peanuts are best grown from the nursery; although they can be grown directly in the field, there is greater yield and outcome when raised from the nursery. Groundnuts can be planted indoors in beds or a large peat pot. Sow seeds one inch deep, place in the sunniest location possible, and water weekly.
Transplant peanut seedlings to the garden when the sun warms to about 60 degrees. Space transplant 10 inches apart, and be careful not to damage or bury the crown.
Soil And Sun Requirements Of Groundnut
- Plant peanuts in full sun.
- A loose, well-drained soil rich in organic components is the most suitable for planting peanuts. A sandy-loamy soil is best.
- Plant your nuts on loose soil so that the pegs can penetrate and grow.
- A soil pH of 5.8 to 6.2 is preferable for peanuts.
- Well-drained sandy loam or clay loam is the most suitable for growing Groundnut. Planting in heavy soil will result in difficulty in harvesting and pod loss.
- Groundnut is planted during the early planting season; hence, the need to plant once the rain starts falling. Do not plant when the soil is soggy because peanuts will not thrive in waterlogged soils.
- Use certified disease-free pods to prevent blights caused by bacteria and fungi. Seeds from last season that will be used for planting in the next should be stored in their pods and only shelled 1-2 weeks before planting. Ensure to select good-quality seeds for planting.
- Prepare the planting bed with aged compost.
- Groundnut is a legume and an oilseed crop; it needs more phosphorus, sulfur, and calcium for proper shell formation and pod filling. Peanuts are heavy feeders. Add phosphorus and calcium to the soil.
Watering Requirements Of Groundnuts
Do not let the plant dry out in the growing stage until it flowers; you can now reduce watering. Once plants are established, allow the soil to dry between watering. Too much rain or humidity during the flowering time results in empty pods or blind pods.
Groundnuts grow well in warm areas below 1500 M above sea level. The ideal temperature requirement for growing Groundnut is about 30º C; below 15º C is not favorable.
Groundnuts require 500 to 600 mm of rainfall, which is well-distributed throughout the growing season. Peanuts will thrive during prolonged or low rain, but the yield will be low. The plants can grow in clay soils, but well-drained soil is preferable.
Peanuts need about one inch of rain or irrigation per week during the growing season, specifically after planting, to ensure germination and establishment of the seedlings; then 60 to 110 days after planting when the pegs have entered the soil and up to the time when the pods have filled.
Planting And Spacing Requirements Of Groundnuts
Groundnuts are sown in the whole shell or the paper-like skin covering the seed. Plant seeds to a depth of 1.5 to 3 inches; set seeds 6 to 8 inches apart; set transplants 18 inches apart or trim successful plants; plant peanuts in double rows to save space.
Single rows can be spaced 12 to 24 inches apart. When the plants are 12 inches tall, mound earth up around the base of the plant so that faded flowers can set pegs down into the hill. The bunch types (small-seeded) are spaced 30cm between rows and about 15 cm between plants.
A hectare of land should have about 167,000 bunch type plants. The runner types (large-seeded) on a hectare of land can be about 89,000 with a space format of 45cm between rows and 20 cm between plants.
Harvesting Of Groundnut
Maturity of Groundnut occurs 90-130 days, depending on the maturity. The shell of matured nuts is often dry and brown. The seeds are usually gray, and they produce a rattling sound when shaken. Be careful while digging the nut to prevent them from breaking off and remaining in the ground.
Dry the nuts for 2-3 days so that you can remove them from the plants, then dry them on mats for 7-10 days until the moisture content is at least 10%. Remove the shell by hand to ensure that the broken, dirty, and damaged nuts are removed.
Storage should be done in clean, dry conditions to avoid the growth of Aspergillus spp, which releases aflatoxin fungi that are poisonous to humans.
Storage Of Groundnut And Its Seeds
Groundnuts can quickly become rancid because of their high oil content. So, store them with their shell in an airtight container, in a fresh and arid place to prevent them from having an offensive smell. Groundnut pods should be well dried to have no more than 5% moisture.
Also, check that the beans are whole, not cracked, and have insect damage; this can help groundnuts stay for as long as 3-6 months.
Diseases And Pests Of Groundnut
Charcoal Rot
A fungus causes this, and symptoms include water-soaked lesions on stems of seedlings close to the soil line, lesions on girdle stems, and killing seedlings. Leaves sometimes turn yellow and wilt and cause stems to be blighted.
It can be controlled by practicing crop rotation with rice and providing plants with adequate irrigation.
Cylindrocladium Black Rot
Fungi cause it, and symptoms include leaves on the main stem turning chlorotic and wilting. Clusters of red-brown fungal bodies occur on branches, and roots blacken and shrivel. Plant resistant varieties and crop rotation is also encouraged.
Stunt
A virus causes this, and its symptoms include curled leaves, stunted plant growth, and very few pods produced by plants. You can control this by encouraging crop rotation and avoiding planting peanuts close to legumes such as clover. Remove infected plants.
Armyworm
Armyworm is an insect that affects groundnuts. Its symptoms include shallow, dry wounds on fruit and irregularly shaped holes in foliage. Young larvae are green to yellow, while old larvae are generally dark green.
It can be managed organically by using natural enemies which parasitize its larvae.
Thrips
Thrips are an insect that attacks peanuts, and symptoms include distorted leaves, leaves speckled with black feces, leaves are covered in coarse stippling, and may appear silvery. You can manage them by using adequate plant spacing and providing good irrigation.
Conclusion
One cannot deny the extensive list of benefits that groundnuts, or peanuts, have to offer. Boasting essential nutrients, they serve as an exceptional source of protein, fostering both the development and repair of muscle tissue. Furthermore, their abundance of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats makes them a valuable addition to any diet, as they work towards reducing levels of harmful cholesterol and improving cardiovascular health. Additionally, thanks to their impressive concentration of antioxidants, including the powerful resveratrol, groundnuts play a crucial role in fighting oxidative stress and decreasing the likelihood of chronic ailments.
Groundnuts not only offer essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, but also nurture digestive health and improve nutrient absorption. Thanks to their low glycemic index, they are an excellent option for people trying to control diabetes as they regulate blood sugar levels. Moreover, they promote fullness, facilitate weight management, and provide long-lasting energy.