Groundnuts
Planting
Time of planting
- Plant with effective planting rains of 25-30mm.
- These usually occur around the second half of November in the Southern Region and the first half of December in the Central and Northern Regions.
Planting and spacing
- To get optimum plant population and maximum yields farmers should use recommended ridge and plant spacing for various varieties. Below is a guiding table for reference:
|
Variety |
Ridge and Hill spacing (cm) |
Seed Rate(Kg/Ha) |
|
Nsinjiro(ICGV-SM 90704) |
90cm x 15cm x 1seed |
80 |
|
75cm x 15cm x 1seed |
100 |
|
|
Kakoma (JL 24) |
90cm x 10cm x 1seed |
50 |
|
75cm x 10cm x 1seed |
60 |
|
|
Baka (ICG 1291) |
90cm x 10cm x 1seed |
50 |
|
75cm x 10cm x 1seed |
60 |
|
|
Chalimbana |
90cm x 15cm x 1seed |
90 |
|
75cm x 15cm x 1seed |
110 |
|
|
Chitembana |
90cm x 15cm x 1seed |
100 |
|
75cm x 15cm x 1seed |
120 |
|
|
CG7 |
90cm x 15cm x 1seed |
90 |
|
75cm x 15cm x 1seed |
110 |
|
|
Malimba |
90cm x 10cm x 1seed |
35 |
|
75cm x 10cm x 1seed |
40 |
|
|
RG1 |
90cm x 15cm x 1seed |
70 |
|
75cm x 15cm x 1seed |
80 |
|
|
Mani-Pintar |
90cm x 15cm x 1seed |
70 |
|
75cm x 15cm x 1seed |
80 |
|
|
Mawanga |
90cm x 15cm x 1seed |
70 |
|
75cm x 15cm x 1seed |
80 |
*source: Ministry of Agriculture: Guide To Agricultural Production in Malawi (1996)
NOTE:
- Higher yields can be obtained on ridges spaced at 60 cm and 75 cm depending on the variety used.
- Groundnuts should be sown on flat beds during off-season.
- Supplying should be done if necessary within one week of seedling emergence.
- At planting, place the seed 5-6 cm deep into the soil and cover it with soil thoroughly.
Figure 2 Shows groundnuts in a file