How to Plant Groundnut in Nigeria: A Complete Guide
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), also known as peanut, is one of Nigeria’s staple crops and a significant source of income for farmers across the country.
It is a versatile legume that thrives in various agro-climatic conditions.
Groundnuts are rich in protein, oils, and vitamins, making them essential for food production, animal feed, and oil extraction.
Growing groundnuts is highly rewarding, especially when one has the proper knowledge of the planting process.
This article will cover how to grow groundnuts successfully in Nigeria, from planting to harvest.
Description of a Groundnut Plant
The groundnut plant is a leguminous crop characterised by its underground pod formation.
It is an annual herbaceous plant that grows up to 30-50 cm tall.
The leaves are pinnate with four leaflets, and the plant produces small yellow flowers that develop close to the ground.
Following fertilisation, the flowers turn downward and burrow into the soil, where the pods containing seeds (groundnuts) develop.
Groundnut pods have a hard, fibrous shell that houses two to three seeds.
The seeds are rich in edible oil and protein, making groundnuts highly nutritious.
Groundnut plants have a taproot system that can penetrate deep into the soil, allowing them to access water and nutrients effectively.
They are well-adapted to warm climates and require plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil to thrive.
Planting Season for Groundnut in Nigeria
The best time to plant groundnuts in Nigeria is during the rainy season when the soil has enough moisture to support germination and early growth.
In most parts of Nigeria, the ideal planting period for groundnut is from late April to early June.
This period coincides with the beginning of the rainy season, ensuring the crop benefits from consistent rainfall.
Groundnuts require a growing period of about 90 to 130 days, depending on the variety and environmental conditions.
In some regions with bimodal rainfall patterns, such as southern Nigeria, a second planting season may occur between August and September.
However, the main harvest is often during the dry season, from September to November.
Planting Groundnut
Step 1: Choose a Location
Groundnut grows best in warm, sunny conditions with well-drained, sandy-loam or loamy soils.
The soil should have a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5, and areas prone to waterlogging should be avoided.
Select a location with adequate sunlight.
Groundnut plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
The location should also be accessible to water sources if irrigation is necessary.
Step 2: Land Clearing and Preparation
Before planting, the land must be cleared of weeds, debris, and any plant residue from previous crops.
Tilling the soil to a depth of 20-25 cm is essential to loosening it and improving its aeration.
This will help the groundnut plants’ roots penetrate deep into the soil and access water and nutrients more effectively.
During land preparation, ensure the soil is finely tilled to create a smooth seedbed.
To enrich the soil, you can also incorporate organic matter like compost or manure.
If the land has previously been used for groundnut cultivation, consider rotating the crops to prevent nutrient depletion and reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases.
Leguminous crops like groundnuts can fix nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility for subsequent crops.
Step 3: Means of Propagation
Groundnut is propagated by seeds, and it is crucial to use high-quality seeds for planting.
You can purchase certified seeds from agricultural input suppliers to ensure better yields.
It is advisable to use disease-resistant varieties that are well-suited to the local climate.
Before planting, the seeds can be treated with fungicides to prevent fungal infections that may affect germination.
Alternatively, some farmers prefer to inoculate groundnut seeds with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to boost their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, which improves soil fertility.
Step 4: How to Plant Groundnut from Seed
To plant groundnut seeds, mark out rows with a 30-50 cm spacing between rows and 10-20 cm between plants.
This spacing ensures that the plants have enough room to grow and facilitates air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
Plant the seeds at 3-5 cm depth, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
You can manually plant groundnut seeds or use seed drills for larger fields.
Ensure the seeds are well-covered with soil to protect them from birds and other animals.
Groundnut seeds typically germinate within 7-10 days after planting.
Step 5: Watering
Groundnut plants require consistent moisture, especially during the germination and flowering stages.
While they are drought-tolerant to some extent, prolonged periods of water stress can significantly reduce yields.
Rainfall is often sufficient during the rainy season.
However, irrigation may be necessary in regions with erratic rainfall to ensure adequate moisture.
Avoid waterlogging, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot and fungal infections.
Drip or sprinkler irrigation systems can be used to maintain optimal moisture levels without causing waterlogging.
Step 6: Apply Manure
Groundnut plants need nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for optimal growth.
Organic manure, such as compost or well-rotted farmyard manure, can be applied to enrich the soil.
You can also use balanced NPK fertilisers, but be cautious not to over-apply nitrogen, as groundnut plants can fix atmospheric nitrogen themselves.
Too much nitrogen may lead to excessive vegetative growth at the expense of pod formation.
Manure or fertiliser should be applied during land preparation and as a top dressing when the plants are about 6-8 weeks old.
This will ensure the plants have enough nutrients during their flowering and pod formation stages.
Maturity and Harvest
Groundnuts typically mature between 90 and 130 days after planting, depending on the variety and environmental conditions.
When the plant’s leaves start to turn yellow and shed, it indicates that the crop is nearing maturity.
To harvest groundnuts, loosen the soil around the base of the plants and carefully pull them out, ensuring that the pods remain attached to the roots.
After harvesting, the plants can be left in the field to dry for a few days before the pods are separated from the vines.
Groundnut pods should be dried in the sun for about 5-7 days to reduce moisture content and prevent spoilage during storage.
Pests and Diseases
Common pests that affect groundnut cultivation in Nigeria include:
- Aphids
- Groundnut leaf miners
- Termites
- Groundnut pod borers
- White grubs
Groundnut diseases include:
- Groundnut rosette virus
- Leaf spot diseases (early and late leaf spot)
- Rust
- Aspergillus crown rot
- Damping-off
Pest and Disease Control
It is essential to implement an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy to control pests and diseases.
Some control methods include:
- Cultural control: Crop rotation and proper land preparation help reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
Removing crop residue after harvest can minimise the presence of pests in the soil.
- Chemical control: Insecticides and fungicides can be used to control severe pest infestations and diseases.
However, these should be applied sparingly and according to recommended guidelines to avoid environmental harm.
- Biological control: Predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps can be introduced to control aphid populations naturally.
Biological fungicides can also be used to manage fungal diseases.
- Resistant varieties: Planting disease-resistant groundnut varieties is one of the most effective ways to control diseases such as the groundnut rosette virus.
How Many Groundnut Plants Can I Grow in a Plot of Land (100 ft by 50 ft)?
A plot of land measuring 100 ft by 50 ft is approximately 465 square meters.
With a planting spacing of 30 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants, you can plant about 155 plants per square meter.
This means you can grow around 72,000 groundnut plants on a 100 ft by 50 ft plot of land.
However, the number of plants may vary slightly depending on the planting method and soil conditions.
In terms of yield, you can expect an average of 1-2 tons of groundnut pods per hectare under good management practices, which translates to around 70-140 kg of pods from a 100 ft by 50 ft plot.
Groundnut Varieties in Nigeria
Several groundnut varieties are commonly grown in Nigeria, each suited to different ecological zones and possessing unique characteristics. Some popular varieties include:
- Samnut 24 (IAR 19BT): This is a high-yielding variety with resistance to the groundnut rosette virus and tolerance to drought. It matures in about 90-100 days.
- Samnut 25: A disease-resistant variety that matures in 120-130 days. It is suitable for areas with moderate rainfall.
- Samnut 26: Known for its high oil content, this variety is resistant to foliar diseases and matures in 100-110 days.
- Ex-Dakar: A fast-growing variety with excellent tolerance to drought. It is popular in the semi-arid regions of northern Nigeria.
- Samnut 22: A variety that produces high-quality pods and seeds resistant to pests like aphids.
Selecting the right variety for your location and intended purpose (e.g., oil extraction or direct consumption) is key to maximizing yield and quality.
I hope this article was helpful.
