Groundnut is considered one of the major oilseed crops in India. This crop plays an important role not only in oil production but also in increasing farmers’ income. Groundnut contains a high amount of protein and oil, due to which its demand remains consistent throughout the year. It is widely cultivated in states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Groundnut cultivation is considered a profitable crop because it provides good yield at relatively low cultivation cost. If farmers adopt the right variety selection, balanced nutrition, and timely crop protection practices, they can achieve better economic returns from groundnut farming.
Suitable Climate for Groundnut Cultivation
Groundnut is a warm season crop. Proper balance of temperature and moisture is essential for better germination, plant growth, and pod development.
Required Temperature
- For germination: 25°C to 35°C
- For crop growth: 20°C to 30°C
- During harvesting: 18°C to 25°C
Rainfall
Rainfall between 50 to 75 cm is considered suitable for groundnut cultivation.
Excessive rainfall or prolonged waterlogging may increase the chances of root rot and fungal diseases. Therefore, proper drainage management in the field is essential.
Soil Selection
Sandy loam soil with good drainage is considered most suitable for groundnut cultivation. The ideal soil pH should range between 6.5 to 7. Fertile and loose soil promotes better pod development. Heavy and compact clay soil is not suitable because pods do not develop properly in such conditions.
Land Preparation
Proper field preparation is necessary for achieving good yield. After harvesting the previous crop, deep ploughing should be done to make the soil loose and friable. This should be followed by 2 to 3 harrowing or cultivator operations to level the field properly.
Before sowing, apply well decomposed farmyard manure along with 4 kg Myco-Pep (Mycorrhiza GR) per acre. This improves soil fertility and strengthens root development.
Right Time for Sowing
For Kharif season, sowing should be done from the last week of June to the first week of July. In irrigated conditions, sowing can be carried out from the end of April to May.
Timely sowing ensures uniform plant growth and better yield. Delayed sowing may result in reduced productivity.
Seed Rate and Spacing
Approximately 38 to 40 kg seed per acre is considered sufficient for groundnut cultivation.
For spreading varieties, row to row spacing should be maintained at 30 cm and plant to plant spacing at 22.5 cm. For bunch varieties, spacing of 30 × 15 cm is considered suitable.
Seeds should be sown at a depth of 8 to 10 cm.
Importance of Seed Treatment
Seed treatment is extremely important in groundnut cultivation because it helps protect the crop from root rot and soil borne diseases.
Before sowing, seeds should be treated with fungicides such as Thiram, Carbendazim, or Mancozeb. After chemical treatment, biological products such as Trichoderma viride or Pseudomonas fluorescens can be used to strengthen early stage plant protection and improve root growth.
Fertilizer and Nutrient Management
Balanced nutrition is very important in groundnut cultivation because plants require sufficient nutrients during pod development.
Generally, 100 kg well decomposed farmyard manure along with 4 kg Myco-Pep (Mycorrhiza GR) should be applied per acre.
If zinc deficiency is observed in the field, the application of Zinc Sulphate is beneficial.
Weed Management
The first 40 to 45 days are considered critical for weed management in groundnut cultivation. During this stage, weeds compete with plants for moisture and nutrients, which directly affects yield.
Therefore, timely weeding and intercultural operations are necessary. Some farmers also use herbicides such as BULDAN CS (Pendimethalin 38.7% CS) at 600-700 ml/acre during the initial stage for effective weed control.
Irrigation Management
Groundnut crop does not require excessive irrigation, but adequate moisture is essential during flowering and pod formation stages.
Generally, 2 to 3 irrigations are considered sufficient. Waterlogging should be avoided because it may increase root rot and fungal disease incidence.
Major Insect Pests and Their Control
| Pest | Symptoms | Control |
| Aphids | These insects suck plant sap, causing yellowing of leaves and stunted plant growth. | Spray PEPMIDA-17 (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL) at the recommended dose. |
| White Grub | White grubs damage roots, causing plants to weaken and dry up. | Apply FY-GRO 3 (Fipronil 0.3% GR) at 6-10 kg/acre. |
| Hairy Caterpillar | This pest rapidly feeds on leaves and damages the crop. | Spray PEPORA (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC) at 60 ml/acre. |
| Termites | Termites damage roots and stems, resulting in drying of plants. | Spray BEHTAR (Chlorpyriphos 20% EC) at 450 ml/acre. |
Major Diseases and Their Management
| Disease | Symptoms | Control |
| Tikka Disease | Brown spots appear on leaves, affecting photosynthesis. | Spray TAL M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP) at 600-800 gm/acre. |
| Root Rot | This disease rots the roots, causing plants to dry up. | Spray CLAUN (Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP) at 700 gm/acre. |
| Rust Disease | Rust-like spots appear on the lower surface of leaves. | Spray DIZOXY (Azoxystrobin 18.2% + Difenoconazole 11.4% SC) at 150-200 ml/acre. |
Harvesting and Yield
The crop is considered ready for harvesting when plants start turning yellow and older leaves begin to shed. After harvesting, pods should be properly dried under sunlight to reduce moisture content.
With proper crop management and balanced nutrition, farmers can obtain better quality produce and higher yield. Final production mainly depends on variety, climatic conditions, and field management practices.
Conclusion
Groundnut cultivation can become a highly profitable option for farmers when proper variety selection, balanced nutrient management, timely irrigation, and effective pest and disease management practices are followed.
With scientific farming techniques and modern crop management practices, groundnut cultivation has become a strong source of sustainable income for farmers.