Description
Farming & Cultivation Guide — Groundnut AgriBee 2
Complete step-by-step agronomic guide for optimal crop management, disease resistance, and premium produce quality.
🌾 Soil Preparation & Field Prep
Proper land preparation ensures uniform seedling emergence and robust root anchorage.
🌱 Ideal Soil Type & pH
Well-drained sandy loam to deep loamy soils with pH 6.0–7.5. Avoid waterlogged, heavy clay, or saline-affected fields.
✨ Core Advantage
Light, friable soil texture facilitates peg penetration and pod development, ensuring straight, well-filled kernels with uniform rosy testa.
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Deep summer ploughing (25–30 cm) followed by 2–3 cross-harrowings to achieve fine tilth essential for groundnut seedbed preparation.
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Field leveling and creation of broad beds or flat sowing with adequate drainage channels to prevent water stagnation.
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Incorporation of 10–12 tonnes/ha well-decomposed FYM or compost during last harrowing for improved soil structure and moisture retention.
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Soil health conditioning — if pH is below 5.5, apply 250–300 kg/ha agricultural lime; if alkaline (>8.0), incorporate gypsum at 250 kg/ha along with basal dose.
🌱 Sowing Time & Method
Precise seed rate and spacing maximize light interception and canopy development.
| Parameter | Recommendation | Agronomic Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing Window | June–July for Kharif; October–November for Rabi in South and Central India | Ensures favorable monsoon moisture for germination and avoids pre-maturity heat or water stress during pegging and pod filling. |
| Seed Rate | 40–45 kg / Acre (100 kg/ha as per product spec) | Maintains optimum plant population for balanced canopy spread, efficient photosynthesis, and uniform pod set. |
| Spacing | 30–45 cm (row-to-row) × 10–15 cm (plant-to-plant) | Optimal spacing supports moderate plant height (45–50 cm), reduces intra-canopy humidity, and improves peg penetration and air circulation. |
| Sowing Depth | 5–7 cm in light soils; 4–5 cm in heavy or clayey soils | Proper depth ensures adequate soil contact for uniform germination while allowing easy emergence of taproot and early vegetative growth. |
💧 Irrigation & Water Management
Adequate moisture regulation supports strong vegetative and reproductive growth.
☀️ Water Requirement Profile
Groundnut is moderately drought-tolerant due to its deep taproot system, but consistent soil moisture during critical stages significantly enhances foliage health, pod set, and kernel filling. Under drip irrigation, apply 25–30 mm per irrigation event at 5–7 day intervals during active growth phases.
🌦️ Soil Moisture Management
In rainfed conditions, maximize soil moisture conservation through mulching (straw or polythene) immediately after sowing. Avoid moisture stress during the first 30 days post-sowing and the pegging/pod-filling phase (35–65 DAS). Supplemental irrigation of 2–3 events during dry spells can sustain foliage vigour and flowering continuity.
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First Irrigation at 5–7 DAS if pre-sowing moisture is insufficient — ensures uniform and rapid germination.
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Vegetative Phase (15–35 DAS): Light irrigation at 7–10 day intervals to support branching and leaf canopy development.
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Critical Stage — Flowering & Pegging (30–55 DAS): Maintain consistent soil moisture; water stress at this stage causes flower abortion and poor peg insertion into soil.
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Pre-Harvest: Stop irrigation 10–12 days before uprooting to facilitate drying of pods on vines and reduce spoilage risk during harvest.
🧪 Fertilizer & Nutrition Management
Balanced crop nutrition supports robust plant structure and premium produce quality.
| Nutrient | Recommended Dose (per Acre) | Application Method & Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen (N) | 20–25 kg/acre (as urea 46% or equivalent) | 50% basal at sowing + 50% side-dressing at 25–30 DAS (during early vegetative growth). |
| Phosphorus (P₂O₅) | 40–50 kg/acre (as DAP 18:46:0 or SSP) | 100% basal application during last harrowing or at time of sowing. |
| Potash (K₂O) | 25–30 kg/acre (as MOP 60%) | 100% basal except in heavy soils where 50% may be split at 30 DAS for improved kernel plumpness and oil synthesis. |
🌿 Interculture & Weed Management
Timely weed control ensures optimal nutrient and moisture availability for crop seedlings.
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First Weeding & Hoeing: Carry out at 15–20 DAS using a conformable hoe or hand weeder. Early weed competition is severe in groundnut; maintaining a weed-free stand up to 30 DAS maximises canopy coverage and suppresses later weed flushes.
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Second Weeding & Earthing-Up: Conduct at 30–35 DAS simultaneously with light hoeing around plant bases. Earthing-up prevents exposed pegs from sun-scalding and encourages additional rooting nodes along buried stems for better nutrient uptake.
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Mulching and Inter-row Maintenance: Apply straw mulch (2–3 tonnes/acre) after second weeding to conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce weed pressure. Perform shallow inter-row hoeing as needed throughout the crop cycle.
🛡️ Pest & Disease Management
Proactive crop monitoring and integrated management ensure healthy crop development.
🐛 Insect Pest Management
- Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera): Larvae bore into pods and consume developing kernels. Control: Spray Carbendazim 50 WP or recommend pheromone traps at 10/acre for monitoring; chemical option — Spinosad 45 SC at 0.5 ml/litre or Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG at 0.3 g/litre at 35–40 DAS and repeat at 10-day interval if infestation persists.
- Termites (Odontotermes spp.): Attack seeds and underground parts causing plant wilting and death. Control: Treat seed with Chlorpyrifos 20 EC at 4 ml/kg seed before sowing; for existing infestations, drench rows with Chlorpyrifos 20 EC at 2.5 ml/litre water. Remove and destroy infested plant debris.
- Jassids / Leafhoppers (Amrasca biguttula): Sucking damage causes yellowing and curling of leaflets, reducing photosynthetic area. Control: Spray Imidacloprid 17.8 SL at 0.3 ml/litre or Thiamethoxam 25 WG at 0.2 g/litre at first sign of appearance (20–25 DAS); conserve natural predators (ladybird beetles) by limiting broad-spectrum insecticide use.
🔬 Disease Control
- Early Leaf Spot (Cercospora personata): Small circular brown spots with yellow halos on lower leaves progressing upward; severe defoliation reduces photosynthate. Control: Preventive spray of Mancozeb 75 WP at 2.5 g/litre or Propineb 70 WP at 2 g/litre at 30 DAS and repeat at 15-day intervals; ensure proper plant spacing for canopy ventilation.
- Late Leaf Spot (Phaeoisariopsis personata): Smaller, darker brown necrotic lesions on upper leaf surface; premature leaf fall weakens the plant. Control: Apply Tebuconazole 50 WP at 0.5 g/litre or Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole combination at label dose; rotate fungicide groups to prevent resistance. Remove and burn infected debris post-harvest.
- White Rot / Stem Rot (Sclerotium rolfsii): Water-soaked lesions at soil line, white mycelial mat, and mustard-seed-like sclerotia on stem base; plants wilt and die. Control: Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride at 4 g/kg seed; soil application of Trichoderma@ 5 kg/acre mixed with FYM around plant base at 30 DAS; avoid waterlogging and practice 2–3 year crop rotation with cereals.
✂️ Harvesting & Produce Quality Guide
Harvesting at peak maturity ensures maximum commercial grade and long keeping quality.
⏱️ Harvesting Schedule & Timing
Harvest when 80–90% of pods show mature internal seed colouration and the shell interior is pale tan. Uproot entire plants at 90–95 DAS, shake off loose soil, and spread vines in thin layers for field drying under shade for 3–4 days before pod separation.
⭐ Produce Quality Characteristics
Rosy-testa kernels with high oil content (48.9%), firm texture, rich flavour, and attractive colour make this variety preferred for both table purposes and oil extraction. Kernels are well-filled with minimal shrivelling when harvested at proper maturity.
| Quality Parameter | Agronomic Standard | Farmer & Market Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Harvest Stage | 90–95 Days after Sowing — full maturity indicator | Ensures maximum kernel filling, optimal oil synthesis, and best flavour development for market acceptance. |
| Harvest Maturity Signs | Lower leaves turning yellow; pods with hardened, netted shells; kernel testa shows variety-specific rosy pigmentation; embryo fills the pod cavity completely. | Prevents over-maturity which leads to pod shattering, mould infection, and kernel deterioration during storage. |
| Shelf Life & Keeping Quality | 3–4 months under cool, dry, well-ventilated storage at moisture content below 7% | High oil content combined with sound harvesting and proper drying ensures good keeping quality with minimal aflatoxin risk when stored correctly. |
| Market Suitability | Table grade, oil extraction, processing units, and direct mandi sale | Rosy kernel colour and high oil percentage attract premium rates from traders and processors seeking quality raw material for peanut butter, oil, and confectionery markets. |
⭐ Varietal Features — Groundnut AgriBee 2
Distinguishing characteristics that make this variety a top choice for Indian growers.
🌿 Core Variety Highlight
Groundnut AgriBee 2 is bred for high oil content (48.9%) with uniform rosy-kernel appearance, making it a dual-purpose variety suitable for both table and oil-use markets across diverse Indian agro-climatic zones.
🌿 Produce Quality & Appearance
Well-filled pods with consistently rosy testa, firm kernel texture, and rich nutty flavour. High and stable oil content ensures premium grading and buyer preference in both domestic and export-oriented markets.
🌿 Stress & Disease Tolerance
Demonstrates solid field tolerance to early and late leaf spot under moderate inoculum pressure, with moderate resistance to pod borer incidence. Vigorous root system provides resilience under brief dry spells common in Kharif conditions.
🌿 Growth Habit & Vigor
Compact, bushy growth habit with moderate plant height (45–50 cm) and well-spaced branching. Open canopy architecture promotes air circulation, reducing disease humidity and facilitating mechanical or manual operations.
🌿 Crop Duration & Earliness
Reaches 50% flowering within 35–40 DAS and matures in 90–95 DAS, enabling flexible crop rotation with cereals, pulses, or vegetables in both Kharif and Rabi sequences across central and peninsular India.
🌿 Market & Farmer Preference
Farmers value Groundnut AgriBee 2 for its reliable germination, uniform maturity for single-pass harvest, attractive rosy kernel colour commanding better prices, and high oil content appealing to processors and oil millers alike.
