Groundnut Growing Guide
Peanut/groundnut. Legume crop grown for oil and food. Fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Soil Type & pH
Best soil types: sandy loam, loam, well-drained sandy
pH range: 5.5 - 7 (optimal: 6.2)
Drainage: excellent
Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)
Planting Guide
Yield & Economics
Common Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
- Aphids
- Thrips
- Leaf miner
- White grub
- Pod borer
- Termites
Common Diseases
- Early leaf spot
- Late leaf spot
- Rust
- Aflatoxin (Aspergillus)
- Stem rot
- Collar rot
Use to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.
Growing Tips
Apply gypsum (calcium sulfate) at 400-500 kg/ha at pegging stage — calcium is essential for pod fill and deficiency causes empty or poorly filled shells.
Groundnuts fix atmospheric nitrogen via Bradyrhizobium, so skip nitrogen fertilizer — excess N promotes foliage over pod development.
Harvest when 70-80% of pods show internal darkening of the shell lining — delayed harvest increases aflatoxin risk and pod shattering losses.
Dry pods to below 8% moisture within 48 hours of harvest to prevent Aspergillus flavus contamination and aflatoxin production.
Rotate with cereals (sorghum, millet) and avoid following groundnut with groundnut — this breaks leaf spot and soil-borne disease cycles.
Sandy loam soils are ideal because pods must penetrate the soil after pegging — heavy clay soils restrict peg entry and cause misshapen pods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Groundnut take to grow?
Groundnut typically takes 120 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 7 days. The best planting season is spring, early summer.
What soil does Groundnut need?
Groundnut grows best in sandy loam, loam, well-drained sandy soil with a pH of 5.5-7. Excellent drainage is required.
What temperature does Groundnut need?
Groundnut grows best at 25-35°C. Frost tolerance: none. Heat tolerance: high.
What is the expected yield for Groundnut?
Groundnut yields approximately 1,800 kg unshelled/hectare under good conditions.
Get AI-Powered Groundnut Recommendations
WiseYield provides personalized growing recommendations, yield predictions, and disease detection for Groundnut and 213 other crops.
14-day free trial. No credit card required.