These crop belongs to the family leguminosae fabaceae and therefore has root nodules containing nitrogen fixing bacteria. The crop is primarily grown for oil extraction, as the kernels contain edible oil. It is also grown for human consumption, being consumed fresh, as roasted salted nut's, in confectioneries and as peanut butter. The butter is highly nutrition's food containing protein , fat and carbohydrates
As a subsistence crop, groundnuts are eaten fresh or boiled or they are roasted and ground into a flour. The cake produced after oil extraction is to fed to livestock as a good source of protein and the parts of the plant remaining after harvesting are also used extensively as a feed stuff.
This crop thrives best in bright sunshine and a warm environment. Groundnuts prefer light, well drained, fertile soil, the best soil texture being a sandy loam. The crop is intolerent of extremely acid or alkaline soil.
Planting
Whether to plant groundnuts on ridges or on the flat depends on local soil conditions, the availability of water and the possibility of soil erosion. In areas that are prone to water logging during the growing season it is advisable to plant the crop on ridges. The ridges should be spaced to allowed to closed canopy to form at the stage of peak leaf development. In areas with good drainage, the groundnuts crop is often planted on the flat. As the production of pods is dependent on the fertilized pegs penetrating the soil, it is essential till the soil to enhance pod formation.
The positive response to early planting during the rainy season maybe due to optimal use of water, the response during the dry season depends on the stage of crop growth which is exposed to the cool temperatures between December and February .
Sowing density varies in different areas where groundnuts are grown.
Weed Control
Weed control in groundnuts is by the use of a how. The practice of ridging also aids in burying weeds. It is always advisable to weed at least twice after seedling emergency. In commercial production, however most weed control is through the use of pre and post emergency herbicides. Pre-planting weed control is usually combined with seed bed preparation. The number of applications will depend on the nature of the soil, the level of weed infection and the time available to the farmer.
Harvesting Period
The time of harvesting for groundnut crops depends on the cultivar, as different varieties mature at different times. However planting is usually timed to ensure harvesting during a dry period soon after the rains have ended, but while the soil is still moist. The whole plants, including the pods, are carefully lifted, the earth is shaken off and they are turned upside down and left to dry in the sun