Groundnut Vegetative Stage

Weed control

Weed control during first 45 days of growth period is essential for good yield. The most critical period is 3-6 weeks after sowing of crop. The average yield loss due to weed is about 30% whereas under poor management yield loss by weed may be 60%., therefore carryout mechanical or chemical weed control during initial stage of crop growth. Give two hoeing after the first three weeks of sowing and then after second three weeks of sowing. No interculture would be done after the pegs have commmenced going underground. Apply Fluchoralin @ 600 ml per acre or Pendimethalin @ 1 ltr per acre as pre-emergence area followed by hand weeding once 36-40 days after planting. Accomplish earthing up during second hand weeding/late hand weeding (in herbicide application). It is an important operation in groundnut. Earthing up is to be done within 40-45 days after sowing as it helps for the penetration of pegs in the soil and also facilitates for increased pod development.

Monitor your field for some diseases and insect/pest incidences-

Thrips: Scirtothrips dorsalis

Symptoms of damage:

• Tender leaves showing yellowish green patches on the upper surface and brown necrotic areas and silvery sheen on the lower surface
• Severe infestations cause stunted plants

Identification of the pest:

• Nymphs: Yellowish
• Adults: Dark coloured with fringed wings

Caliothrips indicus

Symptoms of damage:

• Older /lower leaves showing white spots/marks or streaks

Identification of the pest:

• Nymphs and Adults:  Dark coloured with fringed wings

Frankliniella schultze-

Symptoms of damage:

• Young/ terminal leaves showing white scars
• Transmits peanut bud necrosis

Identification of the pest:

• Nymphs: Yellowish
• Adults: Dark coloured with fringed wings

Management:

• Apply Quinalphos 25%EC 1400 ml/ha

Aphids: Aphis craccivora

Symptoms of damage:

• Wilting of tender shoots during hot weather
• Stunting and distortion of the foliage and stems
• They excrete honeydew on which sooty molds flow forming a black coating
• Act as vector for peanut stripe virus and groundnut rosette virus complex

Identification of the pest:

• Nymphs and Adult: Reddish to dark brown coloured with cornicles in the abdomen

Management:

• Apply anyone of the following insecticides

• Chlorpyrifos 20%EC 1000 ml/ha
• Imidacloprid 17.8% SL 100-125 ml/ha
• Methyl demeton 25% EC 1000 ml/ha.