Groundnut Cultivation practices for Andhra Pradesh

 

Groundnut is an important commercial crop in rain fed areas which contributes about 40 percent to the total oilseeds production in the country. India occupies first position, both in area and production, in the world.

• About 70% of the area and 75% of the production are concentrated in the four states of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Orissa have irrigated area forms about 6% of the total groundnut area in India.
• In Andhra Pradesh groundnut is grown in Anantapur, Kurnool, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Warangal, Nalgonda, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Mahaboobnagar districts.

A. Suitable Climate

• Temperature and rainfall significantly influence the groundnut production.
• An optimum daily mean temperature of 30°C is ideal for the crop growth. Temperatures above 35°C and below 15°C inhibit the growth of groundnut. For good germination soil temperature above 21°C is needed. The optimum temperature for the good germination and seedling development is about 30°C.
• The crop can be grown successfully in places receiving rainfall between 500mm and 1250mm. The rainfall should be well distributed during the flowering, pegging and pod formation stages of the crop.
• The groundnut crop, cannot stand frost, long and severe drought or water stagnation.

B. Suitable soils

• Groundnut is grown on wide variety of soil types.
• Well drained, light textured, loose, friable sandy - loam or sandy clay loam soils well supplied with calcium and a moderate amount of organic matter are ideal for groundnut cultivation.