Groundnut Pod Research Articles

Effect of Packaging Material on Infestation Level in Stored Groundnut Pods

Groundnut crop is an important crop for farmers of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat State in India. Generally, farmers cultivate groundnut crop in the Kharif season. Storage of groundnut pods is associated with the problem of bruchid during storage in jute bags. To address this storage problem with groundnut pods, current research was carried out comparing performance of different packaging materials with their traditional storage system in jute bags. Seven different types of bags were used as packaging materials. The experiment was carried out for the year 2016-17 and 2017-18. The storage period was December-July. Pool data for two years were considered for determination of the effect of packaging material on storage of groundnut pods with respect to moisture content, germination percentage, pod damage due to infestation, pest population, and aflatoxin. Groundnut stored in cloth bag showed maximum variation in moisture content during the storage period (6.40% to 8.35%), maximum pest population of pupa (6.82 pupa/200 gm sample) and adult of bruchid beetle (3.14 adult/200 gm sample), pod damage due to infestation on number basis (61.13%) as well as weight basis (63.46%) whereas minimum variation was found in moisture content during the storage period (6.74% to 6.90%), maximum pest population of pupa (2.44 pupa/200 gm sample) and adult of bruchid beetle (1.51 adult/200 gm sample), pod damage due to infestation on number basis (18.24%) as well as weight basis (18.76%) in triple layer hermetic storage bag i.e., Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags followed by closely woven net bag. The minimum germination percentage (69.22%) was found in cloth bag and it was the maximum (78.18%) in triple layer hermetic storage bag. Aflatoxin in the pods stored in triple layer hermetic storage bags was under limit. Results of this study will be helpful to select storage bags for storing groundnut pods.

Nutrients Dynamics and uptake Patterns in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)- Sweet corn (Zea mays var. Saccarata) Intercropping Systems

A field experiment was conducted in the summer season during 2020-21 and 2021-22 on clayey soil at Regional Rice Research Station, NAU, Vyara (Gujarat), India to evaluate the nutrients dynamics and uptake patterns of groundnut-sweet corn intercropping systems. The experiment comprised of ten treatments which was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that the productivity of these systems in terms of groundnut pod equivalent yield 3221 kg/ha was significantly higher with intercropping of groundnut + sweet corn (2:1) with paired row (30-60-30 cm) (T10) followed by groundnut + sweet corn (3:1) in additive series (3073 kg/ha) (T8). Maximum N and K balance was recorded in case of treatment T10 (+107.18 and +144.52 kg/ha, respectively) which was followed by groundnut + sweet corn (2:1) in replacement series (T4) (+71.14 and +108.78 kg/ha, respectively) and (3:1) in additive series (T8) (+56.35 and +107.44 kg/ha, respectively). Phosphorus balance was negative under all treatments of intercropping system.

Economic Importance of Frontline Demonstrations on Groundnut Production Technology in Nagarkurnool District, India

The present investigation was conducted in the rabi, 2019-20 in Nagarkurnool District. A total of 25 demonstrations were conducted in Peddur and Uppununtala villages of Telkapally Mandal and Nagarkurnool District. The objective of the study is to demonstrate the improved crop management practices in groundnut to increase the productivity and profitability of groundnut crops. The study revealed that Improved Crop Management practices enhanced groundnut pod yield (2338 kg ha-1) by up to 9.4% over farmer's practice (2116 kg ha-1). The technology gap ranged from 300-900 kg ha-1 and the extension gap ranged from 200-350 kg ha-1 with an average technology Index of 22.1%. The ICM practices have reduced the cost of cultivation (Rs.46,775/-) and increased the gross returns (Rs.1,41,890/-), net returns (Rs.95,115/-) and B: C ratio (2.05) over farmer's practice (Rs.46,775/-, Rs.128102/-, Rs.78475/- and 1.59 respectively).

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF GROUNDNUT PODSEPARATOR

In India, Agriculture is the backbone. In a country like India, farmers grow groundnuts on a small scale. The major problem in groundnut production in countries like India is the lack of groundnut processing machines available to farmers. In the beginning, the workers separated the groundnut pods from their plants. They simply remove groundnut pods by their hands and separate them from the plants. The output obtained from this method, was very low because it was a very time-consuming process. It was also a boring work for the worker. The traditional method of separating pods from groundnut plants is by hand. The traditional method is not a sufficient method for separating the groundnut pods. Due to this manual process, identifying some major problems&overcomingthese problems some ideas or concepts are generated.

CROP RESIDUE AS OPTIMUM FEED SOURCING FOR LIVESTOCK KEPT UNDER FREE RANGE CONDITIONS WITHIN THE BLUE NILE BASIN OF SUDAN

The present study was initiated show that the best feed sourcing for animal production could crop-livestock under rangeland conditions of arid environment within the Nile basin ecosystem. For crop-livestock production systems, livestock water productivity (LWP) was used to indicate water utilized by the animal converted to useful products. Parameters measured were: biomass availability from rangelands and crop residues, supply versus demand for the different animal species and treated crop residues to improve animal performance. Trends in rangeland productivity, crop residue biomass and animal’s number and herd structure were measured through the years 2014 – 2018 in seven localities of Sennar state. Total biomass in the form of crop residues and biomass from range was calculated to determine the livestock demands during the dry season; this was done by utilizing Tropical livestock unit (TLU) equivalents and basal metabolic rates. Rangeland status was estimated using remote sensing. using multiple sets of Sentinel-2 and Landsat images (in case of cloud cover in the Sentinel-2 image). Crop production was projected for the summer season from the ‘Ministry of Agriculture’, Further available crop residues were calculated as: 1kg sorghum seed gives 3kg sorghum straw, 1kg millet seed gives 3 kg straw, 1kg ground nut pod gives 2kg straw. The biomass demand was calculated based on the data from Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development that annual animal unit demand is 2.4 tons. This was translated to the biomass demand of approximately 6.5 kg per day per animal unit. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) estimation of animal maintenance energy of 11,000 Kcal per LTU per day for grazing cattle in Africa, for maintenance energy, would require about 5 kg per tropical livestock unit per day of feed for maintenance. The amount of evapotranspiration required to produce this feed would be about 1.25 cubic meters per TLU per day or 450 cubic meters per tropical livestock unit per year. This compares with 25–50 liters a day or 9–18 cubic meters per tropical livestock unit per year for drinking water. Hence for each locality biomass demand was calculated as: No. of AU in the locality x 6.5 kg dry matter/day. Animal experimentation utilized 2 dairy goats fed with straws treated with 5% urea and Student t-test was used to obtain the significance between the control and treated animals. The results showed that contribution of crop residue to the biomass was very important and increased over the years for Abu Hougar it was maintained around 90%, for El Dali increased from 3% to 888% in year 2018. For El Dinder, El Souki and Sinnar increased to reach 454%, 775%, 219% respectively in the year 2018. However, Singa showed a decline in crop residue from 526 to 163%. Availability of the biomass showed high variability among the localities. Animal’s number changed slightly over the years. Except for Sharg Sinnar. Sheep population was the highest while camels were the lowest in all localities, but herd structure was not the same where cattle, sheep and goats were comparable at El Souki and Singa. Camels and goats were comparable in El Dinder only. Abu Hougar and El Dali showed lower population of cattle and goats. At Sinnar, goats and cattle population was nearly the same. Sharg Sinnar showed comparable ratios for sheep, cattle and goats. As for animal experimentation where dairy goats were used to test the crop residue treated with urea on food intake and milk yield, it was found that while food intake decreased significantly (P<0.05), milk yield increased significantly (P<0.001). It could be concluded that for crop livestock-water ecological system, crop residues as feed sourcing is considered the optimum biomass supply for animals during the summer season where there is no additional water is required, livestock water productivity (LWP) could be increased with better management of soildegradation, water runoff and rangeland conservation.

RHIZOSPHERE MICROBIOME, SOIL ENZYMES AND GROUNDNUT YIELD AS INFLUENCED BY ADDITION OF BIOCHAR AND FERTILIZERS IN IRRIGATED ALFISOL OF NORTH COASTAL ANDHRA PRADESH

The field experiment was conducted in irrigated Alfisols of North coastal Andhra Pradesh tostudy the effect of biochar and chemical fertilizers on rhizosphere microbiome, soil enzymes andyield performance of groundnut crop (variety K-6) during rabi, 2018-19. Biochar application tosoil significantly increased soil bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes population. At pod developmentstage, the highest number of bacterial count (39.0 x106 CFU g-1 soil) was observed in T5 (100%RDF + biochar @ 6 t ha-1) which was on par with all the biochar applied treatments (T3, T4, T6, T7,T8). The Biochar applied @ 6 t ha-1 (T5 & T8) significantly increased the bacterial population ascompared to non-biochar applied treatments (T1 & T2). Fungal and actinomycetes populationfollowed the similar trend of bacterial count. Soil urease activity was significantly superior inbiochar applied treatments (T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8) compared to non biochar applied treatments (T1and T2). With increased rates of biochar application the urease activity markedly increased insoil. Similar trend was noticed with respect to dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkalinephosphatase enzymes in soil in response to addition of biochar. At pod development stage, thehighest leaf area index (3.16) was recorded with 100% RDF + biochar @ 6 t ha-1(T5) which wassignificantly higher than T1 (control), T2 (100% RDF) and T6 (75% RDF + biochar @ 2 t ha-1). Thehighest drymatter accumulation of 2951 kg ha-1 at peg penetration and 6428 kg ha-1 at poddevelopment was observed in T5 (100% RDF + biochar @ 6 t ha-1) which was on par with T3(100% RDF + biochar @ 2 t ha-1), T4 (100% RDF + biochar @ 4 t ha-1), T8 (75% RDF + biochar @6 t ha-1) treatments. Groundnut pod yield was highest (4019.58 kg ha-1) in treatment received100% RDF + biochar @ 6 t ha-1, which was on par with T4 (100% RDF + biochar @ 6 t ha-1) and T8(75% RDF + biochar @ 6 t ha-1).

Effect of sub-optimal moisture levels on the quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) during storage in triple-layer hermetic storage bags

Storage is an important aspect of groundnut, as the in-shell and shelled kernels are prone to infestation by insects, pests, and fungi. Among several storage pests, the groundnut bruchid, Caryedon serratus, causes serious losses. Farmers often resort to different management practices, including hermetic storage, to control it. The moisture content of the commodity plays an important role in insect infestation during storage. Drying to safe moisture levels before storage is known to prevent the activity of various living organisms, such as storage pests. However, drying to low levels of moisture may not be economical for farmers, as they may not have access to devices to accurately check product moisture. In this regard, we wanted to demonstrate the efficacy of triple-layer hermetic storage bags in preventing the damage caused by C. serratus when the groundnuts are stored at intermediate (10%) and high (14%) levels of moisture compared to traditionally used bags such as polypropylene bags and jute bags. Groundnut pods at 10% moisture content and 14% moisture content were separately inoculated with adult bruchids and a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus fungal inoculum before storing them for 6 months. Results from groundnut samples taken at two-month intervals indicated that groundnut pods stored in triple-layer hermetic bags were completely free from infestation by C. serratus by recording a zero number of eggs laid, number of pupae, adult emergence, percentage of loss, and percentage of damage up to 6 months of storage, by creating low oxygen (hypoxia) and high carbon dioxide (hypercarbia) conditions. Results also indicate no loss of pod weight stored in triple-layer bags, but a slight reduction in germination percentage was recorded due to a slight increase in fungal activity, but the reduction was significantly less in triple-layer plastic bags compared to other bag types. Similarly, biochemical constituents such as oil and protein content were slightly reduced in triple-layer plastic bags when pods were stored at a 10% moisture level, but a higher reduction was observed at a 14% moisture level. However, the reduction was very high and significant in other bag types at both 10 and 14% moisture levels.

Assessment of purdue improved crop storage bags for hermetic storage technology on groundnut pods

Assessment of purdue improved crop storage bags for hermetic storage technology on groundnut pods

Affirmation of Experimental Results on Groundnut-Based Millet Intercropping System at Farmers Field under Rainfed Condition

The research aims to tackle the issue of low groundnut productivity in rainfed areas and low-fertility marginal lands, which is below the national average, leading to economic constraints for farmers. Millets, known for their resilience, are considered suitable for cultivation in challenging environments. Intercropping, growing multiple crops simultaneously, is recognized as an essential system to mitigate erratic climatic conditions and act as insurance against uncertainties. The experiment evaluates the productivity and profitability of an intercropping system combining groundnut and millets in a rainfed ecosystem. The goal is to provide a sustainable and economically viable option for farmers in such areas by leveraging the robustness of millets and improving agricultural outcomes and resilience to climate-related risks. A field experiment was carried out during Kharif 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Babbur farm, Hiriyur. An experiment was laid out with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with ten treatments and was replicated thrice. Treatments comprises of testing of sole groundnut, finger millet and foxtail millet against intercropping of groundnut with finger millet, little millet and foxtail millet at 5:2 and 6:1 row proportion. The results of pooled data indicated that significantly higher groundnut pod equivalent yield (2123 kg/ha) was recorded with Groundnut + finger millet (5:2) as compared to other treatments. However, significantly higher net returns (Rs. 58532/ha) and B:C ratio (2.55) were recorded with Groundnut + foxtail millet (6:1) as compared to other treatments.

Regenerative agriculture through indigenous practice of using remains of livestock feed residues as a manure to boost groundnut productivity

Cow represents Mother Earth, as it is a source of goodness, its milk nourishes all creatures and dung is store house of millions of microorganisms’ acts as source of organic manure and her urine aids in decomposition of crop residues. It’s in practice for millennium but recently due to introduction of chemical fertilizer found to be disappearing in the farming community coupled with reduction in the livestock population. Application of manure prepared from livestock feed for four years resulted in mean groundnut pod yield of 1665 kg/ha as against application of FYM i.e., 1108 and control 818 kg/ha.

Regulating flowering pattern to improve assimilate translocation efficiency and pod yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Groundnut is an indeterminate crop wherein vegetative and reproductive phases overlap, resulting in immature pods and poor pod yield. Field experiment was conducted to reduce later formed flowers and pod yield. The results of experiment revealed that foliar spray of late formed flower arresting formulation significantly reduced late formed flowers and recorded higher groundnut pod yield.

Growth and yield of groundnut (Arachnis hypogeal) in bituminous soils of Southern Ondo State, Nigeria

Several studies have been conducted on the physio-chemical and heavy metals characterization of a bituminous soil, but very few studies have investigated the potential of cultivating an economical like groundnut in such soil. Therefore, this study investigated the potential of cultivating groundnut in bituminous soils with the aim of determining; (i) the effects of soil nutrients and heavy metals on the growth and yield of groundnut; and (ii) the main and interactive effects between locations with varying bitumen contents and soil depth on the heavy metals. Three different locations (Loda, Lofo, and Legbogbo sites) were considered for the research. Loda and Lofo are bituminous soils, while Legbogbo is bitumen free. Soil samples were collected at interval of 10 cm depth up to 100 cm during two growing seasons and taken to the laboratory for physico-chemical and heavy metal tests. During the growing seasons, the plant height, number of leaves were measured. Significant difference (P < 0.05) in the growth parameters were observed among the locations (Loda, Lofo, and Legbogbo) where the crop was planted in both seasons. It was observed that there was an increasing trend for the agronomic measurement in all locations and seasons were in the order of Legbogbo > Lofo > Loda in most cases on function of weeks after planting (WAP). Also, significant (P < 0.05) effects of the location were recorded on the groundnut components, due to the level of bitumen present in the soil. For the year 2020 growing season, weight of the groundnut pod ranged between average value of 4.27 and 29.53 g at Loda and Legbogbo, while it similarly ranged between 8.08 and 59.87 g at Loda and Legbogbo for the year 2021 growing season. Significant main and interactive effects were observed in the bituminous soil on the soil nutrients and heavy metals, thus further explaining the markedly differential groundnut productivity. Using the stepwise regression model, analysis of results showed that the soil potassium and phosphorus are important for the cultivation of groundnut. Therefore, cultivation of groundnut in a bituminous soil is possible with the presence of increased potassium and phosphorus contents.

Antifungal Potential of Tetrapleura tetraptera, Xylopia aethiopica, Citrus aurantifolia and Cymbopogon citratus on Different Fungal Isolates

study on the antifungal potentials of various plants extracts on mycoflora of groundnut pod was carried out in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Rivers State. Cultural laboratory methods was used to evaluate the mycoflora. Powdered plants extracts used were extracted by air drying and blending the leaves of the plants. The antifungal activity on the various fungal isolates was done at different concentrations (100, 50, 25, and 12.5mg/ml). For antifungal activity of C. citratus at 100, 50 and 25mg/ml revealed higher inhibition of Scopulariopsis sp compared to other isolates, although at 12.5mg/ml there was complete inhibition across all fungal isolates. X. aethiopica showed more inhibition for all isolates at the different concentrations while T. tetraptera and C. aurantifolia revealed total inhibition of these isolates at 12.5mg/ml with variations across other concentrations respectively. Generally all plants extract showed complete inhibition at 12.5mg/ml.

Effect of various doses of basal and foliar application of nitrogen and potassium with trace elements on summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

The present field study was carried out during summer season of 2020 and 2021 at Jaguli Instructional Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal to study the effect of solid and foliar grade of N and K along with trace elements in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications. In main plot; F0, control; F1, 50% RDN and K; F2, 75% RDN and K and; F3, 100% RDN and K and sub-plot T1, Starter dose of N and K @2% with 10:20 ratio + micronutrient mixture of Fe, B, Zn and Mo foliar spray at 30 DAE; T2, Booster dose of N and K @2% with 5:40 ratio + micronutrient mixture of Fe, B, Zn and Mo foliar spray at 45 and 60 DAE; and T3, Starter dose + Booster dose. Growth and yield attributes of groundnut were significantly influenced by application of inorganic fertilizer and maximum were recorded with 100% of RDN and K. Foliar applications of RDN and K with a micronutrient mixture responded better at later stages (45 and 60 DAE) than at an earlier stage (30 DAE). Higher groundnut pod yield was obtained with basal application of 100% of RDN and K but performed statistically same response to the treatment 75% of RDN and K. The pod yield increased by 5–12% with each incremental dose of inorganic fertilizer, while it decreased in control. Booster dose of N and K gave higher pod and oil yield to starter dose. Maximum BCR of 2.38 and 1.99 was found in 100% of RDN and K and in booster doses of N and K. Inorganic fertilizer as basal and foliar application + micronutrients increased the groundnut pod yield but foliar application was not substitute to any quantity of inorganic fertilizer.

Impact of Cluster front-line Demonstrations on Productivity and Economics of Groundnut in Southern Transition Agro Climatic Zone (Zone-7) of Hassan District, Karnataka, India

Groundnut is a important commercial legume cum oilseed crop growing in Hassan district of Karnataka and there is a notable yield gaps found between the farmers and demonstration plots due to non adoption of improved agronomic technological practices and use of local varieties. Integrated crop management (ICM) practices in groundnut under cluster front-line demonstration were conducted by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hassan during Summer seasons of 2018-19 to 2022with active participation of 250 groundnut growers with a objective of practicing improved agronomic practices over a 100 ha area in 5 consecutive years.The highest groundnut pod yield was achieved in demonstration plots with an mean of 1842.8kg/ha as compared to farmers practices with an mean of 1254.80kg/ha; which was 22.24 per cent higher yield as compared to farmers practices. The demonstration plots average mean of extension gap, technology gap and technology index were calculated as 281.20 kg/ha, 564 kg/ha, 26.75 per cent, respectively. The higher mean net returns of 62592.60/ha with B:C ratio of 2.35 was exhibited in improved agronomic practices demonstrated plot as compared to local practices (Rs.43897.60/ha). So it’s concluded that improved agronomic technological practices have high potential to increase the groundnut productivity through cluster front-line demonstration.

Effect of the summer pearl millet-groundnut intercropping system on the growth, productivity and competitive ability of crops under south Odisha conditions

A millet-based intercropping system is common in dryland and rainfed conditions. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) exhibits wide adaptability to different agroclimatic conditions and seasons, making it suitable for an intercropping system. Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) is a leguminous oil-seed crop that can be cultivated as an intercrop in various cereals and millets to enhance productivity and resource efficiency. Based on these facts, the present study was conducted at the Research Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management during the summer season of 2022 to assess the effect of the summer pearl millet + groundnut intercropping system on the growth, productivity, and competitive ability of crops under the conditions of south Odisha. The experiment consisted of nine treatments. In case of pearl millet, the highest plant height at harvest was achieved in pearl millet (30 cm × 10 cm) + groundnut (1:1) (186 cm), while the maximum plant height of groundnut at harvest was observed in pearl millet (45 cm × 10 cm) + groundnut (1:2) (70cm). Dry matter production at harvest and leaf area index (LAI) at 60 days after sowing (DAS) of pearl millet were highest in pearl millet sole (857 g m-2 and 2.19, respectively). The maximum dry matter production at harvest was found in groundnut sole. The highest yield of individual crops was observed in their pure stands, with 2677 kg ha-1 and 2633 kg ha-1 of pearl millet grain and groundnut pod, respectively. Among mixed stands, pearl millet (30 cm × 10 cm) + groundnut (1:1) and pearl millet (45 cm × 10cm) + groundnut (1:1) showed superior values of different competition functions, such as aggressivity, relative crowding coefficient, monetary advantage, land equivalent ratio, and area time equivalent ratio. The results concluded that pearl millet and groundnut could be intercropped with a 1:1 row proportion with pearl millet spacing of either 30 cm × 10 cm or 45 cm × 10 cm in south Odisha conditions.

Evaluation of Response of Different Varieties of Major Crops for Organic Farming under North Gujarat Condition

A field experiment was conducted during 2015-16 to 2021-22 at Centre for Research on IFS, S.D.A.U., Sardarkrushinagarto study the evaluation of response of different varieties of major crops for organic farming under north Gujarat condition. Total eight different varieties of each crop groundnut, wheat and green gram were taken for study during the kharif, rabi and summer season, respectively. The experiment was laid down in randomized block design with three replications. Significantly higher groundnut pod yield (1813 kg/ha) and haulm yield (2755 kg/ha) were recorded in GJG 17 (S) in pooled results and also in individual years. The significantly higher groundnut equivalent yield (2115 kg/ha), economic performance in terms of net return (82404 ₹/ha) was recorded higher in case of GJG 17 (S) as compare to other variety. In case of wheat variety, significantly higher groundnut equivalent yield (1850 kg/ha), gross return (1,18,047 ₹/ha) and net return (50,239 ₹/ha)) was recorded under GW 451, which was at par with GW 496 wheat variety. During summer season, significantly highest groundnut equivalent yield (612 kg/ha), gross return (39031 ₹/ha) and net return (9730 ₹/ha) were recorded with greengram variety GM4. There was improvement in soil nutrients status over its initial value by using the organic manure in cropping system. The percent increase in soil organic carbon was 32.6%, available nitrogen 17.3%, available phosphorus 78.9%, available potassium 5.8%.,while 21% increase in water holding capacity and 4.3% reduction in bulk density due to continuous use of organic manures as a sources. The bacterial population, actinomycetes and fungi population were increased over first year after conversion period and recorded higher in last year 2021-22 under groundnut-wheat- greengram crop sequence.

Occurrence, abundance and distribution of soil nematodes associated with groundnut farming in Kenya

Groundnut is a major cash crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions. In Kenya, groundnut is mostly grown in the Western and Nyanza regions and has been ranked the fourth cash crop of the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). However, groundnut production in Kenya has continued to decline with farmers attaining less than 50 % of the yield potential of 700 to 1400 kg/ha. Yearly statistical reports by Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate for the last seven years, show the decline has been consistent. In 2019/2020 AFA reported there was a decrease of 216 Mt in Homa Bay and 30 Mt in Kisumu. Yield loss is attributed to lack of quality improved seed and pests’ infestation during growth and storage. Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) are the major pests of groundnut worldwide. This study sought to investigate the occurrence of nematode communities (PPN and non-parasitic nematodes (NPN) in soils cultivated with groundnuts in the LVB and to determine the effect of farmyard manure application on their presence. Six peanut varieties (4 improved and 2 local) were cultivated in Nyakach and Karachuonyo in March to August in 2021 and 2022. Soil samples, groundnut roots and pods were collected. A modified Baermann’s, maceration methods and filtration technique was used to isolate nematodes from the soil, groundnut pods and roots. Multi-stage Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine any significant differences in abundance and richness while the Shannon index compared diversity of PPN and NPN among the farms in two seasons and regions. Eleven genera of PPN: Aphelenchoides, Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Tylenchus, Scutellonema, Trichodorus, Hemicycliophora, Tylenchorhynchus, Rotylenchulus and Criconema. spp., and three genera of NPN; Rhabdittes, Dorylaimus spp. and Predators were categorized. Aphelenchoides and Meloidogyne were the most abundant PPN and Rhabdites NPN in both regions and seasons. Application of farm yard manure led to decline of abundance of PPN and an increase in NPN. The results confirm the presence of PPN in the LVB groundnut growing regions and the potential use of farm yard manure in their management. This study recommends further investigation on actual damage potential of these PPN and their management strategies. Key words: Arachis hypogaea, Soil nematodes, Meloidogyne, Aphelenchoides, Rhabdites, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus

Design, Development and Performance Evaluation of Groundnut Pod Stripper

This project only removes the pods from their roots so the farmers can work easy and can save time and money as well. It is very efficient and can be available to all at minimum cost. This work focused on the design and fabrication of a groundnut pod striper machine electrically powered by a 1hp motor. The main components of the developed stripper are stripping cylinder, frame cover to protect the pods from scattering and sieve for cleaning purpose. According to the design dimension the conceptual drawing was built with the help of SOLIDWORKS software. The principle of the designing is based on the horizontal circular rotary motion. The developed pod stripper has a dimension of 1170 × 930 × 560. The performance of the developed pod stripper was tested with three independent parameter i.e. feed rate (kg/h), moisture content (% db) and cylinder speed (m/min) and the dependent parameters were stripping efficiency, cleaning efficiency and damage percentage. It was found that the stripping efficiency is 97% and stripping capacity is 195 kg/h, cleaning efficiency is 87% efficient. There were no losses but the scattering of groundnut pod was 0.83%. The developed machine have output of 10 times more than the traditional method with profit of more than 10 times.

Modification in existing groundnut digger shaker for invert windrowing

The agricultural mechanization has gained importance for increasing agricultural production, productivity and profitability. Aflatoxin contamination results in downgrading of grains and oilseeds and depletion of their nutritional value. Prolonged consumption of aflatoxins has been reported to cause impaired immune function, malnutrition and stunted growth in children, disabilities and death. The main components of the developed machine were supporting frame, inversion discs, inversion rods, bottom support, side covers, etc. For the performance evaluation of the plant inversion attachment to the existing groundnut digger shaker in terms of total percentage of groundnut pod loss, digging efficiency and field efficiency, three levels of forward speeds i.e. 2.0 - 2.5 km/h (S1), 2.5 - 3.0 km/h (S2) and 3.0 - 3.5 km/h (S3) were used. Total percentage of groundnut pod loss was found lower at forward speed S1 (9.06 %) while higher at S3 (15.89 %). The total percentage of groundnut pod loss at forward speed S2 was found 11.86 %. The digging efficiency was measured as 90.94 %, 88.14 % and 84.11 % at forward speeds of S1, S2 and S3, respectively. Similarly, field efficiency was found 83.63 %, 80.10 % and 77.21 % at forward speeds of S1, S2 and S3, respectively. The depth of cut was measured as 130 mm and width of cut was 1016 mm at the moisture content of 18.08 % (d.b.). The draft was measured as 452 kg and power requirement was 18 hp with fuel consumption of 3.93 l/h. The average theoretical field capacity, effective field capacity and field efficiency was calculated as 0.330 ha/h, 0.264 ha/h and 80 %, respectively. The wheel slip was found 7.73 % while inversion index was 72 %.