When I dug my groundnut many pods were empty or had small kernels in Anantapur. What causes pops and poor pod filling?
Why are my groundnut pods poorly filled with empty shells (groundnut)?
RRamana Reddy6mo ago · 266 views
4 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓6mo ago
Empty pops and poorly filled groundnut pods usually come from calcium deficiency in the pod zone, moisture stress during pegging and pod filling, or harvesting before pods mature. Groundnut needs calcium right where the pegs enter the soil, which is why gypsum application at the pegging stage is important, especially in light sandy soils. Boron and other nutrient gaps also reduce filling. Make sure pegs can enter loose moist soil, give protective irrigation during pod development if you can, and apply gypsum as recommended. Harvest at proper maturity, since digging too early gives immature unfilled pods. Confirm the gypsum rate and timing and any micronutrient need for your soil with your Soil Health Card and local KVK.
VVenkataramudu5mo ago
In Anantapur dryland, gypsum at pegging plus one life saving irrigation when the rains failed cut down my empty pods. Without moisture at pegging the pods just do not fill.
NNagaraju5mo ago
I learned to keep the soil loose around the plants so the pegs can push into the ground easily. If the surface goes hard and crusted the pegs cannot enter and you get empty pops. A light intercultural operation at the pegging stage on moist soil helped my pods set better.
OObulesu5mo ago
Do not dig the crop too early in the rush to clear the field, because immature pods give you the small unfilled kernels. I open a few sample pods to check the inner shell colour and kernel before deciding to harvest. Right maturity plus gypsum at pegging made the biggest difference for me. Get your soil tested for the gypsum and micronutrient need.