Groundnut (Arachis hypogea.L) is an erect or trailing sparesely- hairly annual herb.It can grow to about 15-60cm in height.Mature fruits are dehiscent(i.e pod breaks open) seeds are ovoid in shape,contain no endosperm and they are close in a thin papery reddish brown testa/seed coat.Groundnut is a native of South America.It was introduced into Nigeria in the 16th centuru.The total hectarage planted to groundnuts throughout the world is over 22 million Hectares per year.The leading producers of groundnut are India,China,Nigeria,Senegal anf the United States of America.
Groundnut is grown throughout the tropical world between 40S of the equator.It is a warm season crop with most of the crop produced with 70-100cm rainfall per annum.Dry weather is required for ripenining and harvesting.The most suitable soils are well drained,loose and friable sandy loam well supplied with calcium and with moderate amount of organic matter .The pH of the soil must be neutral to slightly acidic
Varieties include Samaru 61,Samaru 38,MK 374,GI 53.The red runner varieties are DS 569,T37-47 and DS 5418.
It is planted in mid march to April in the south and late may to July in the North.
Most of the crops are grown on ridges 1 metre apart and the spacing in the row should be 25cm.This gives about 40,000 plants/ha
