Peanut Production Technology
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.), locally known as mani, is the most widely grown field legume in Region 2. It is usually cultivated in the river flood plains and other upland areas. In 2006, the total area planted to peanut in Region 2 was 3,311 hectares (ha) with a total production of 3,579 tons (t) unshelled pods. This averages to 1.08 t/ha which is slightly higher than the national average production of 1.05 t/ha. However, farmers in Damurong, Alcala, and Cagayan have an average yield of 1.90 t/ha during the dry season under normal conditions.
Low average yield in the region is attributed to predominant using of traditional varieties, low input levels, low seeding rate, and lack of quality seeds.
Adaptation
Soil Requirements
· Well drained, loose, friable soil with high water retention capacity and pH level of 5.8-6.5.
· Sandy loan soil with high calcium content and a moderate amount of organic matter.
· Generally not suitable in areas near the sea coast because of salinity and low water retention capacity of the soil.
Climate Requirements
· Peanut thrives well in places with warm water temperature (20-30 degrees Celsius) and well-distributed rainfall (500-1250 mm) during its vegetative and reproductive growth.
· In the lower part of Cagayan River Basin, peanut is planted in commercial scale from November to December (dry season) after the flood months.
· Planting may be done earlier in the upper Vega where there is lower risk of flooding. These higher elevation areas are suitable for wet season seed production.
· Continuous rain during wet season favors vine development that competes with pegs and pods soil nutrient utilization resulting in low yield.
Quality seeds contribute to high yield. Therefore, select varieties that are tolerant to pests, early maturing, and uniform in size to guarantee optimum yield. The recommended and acceptable peanut varieties for Region 2 include the following:
|
Recommended Varieties |
Characteristics |
Target Market |
|
1. PSB Pn 1 (UPL Pn 10) |
· Dry season pod yield of 2.0 t/ha · Wet season pod yield of 1.5 t/ha · Medium-seeded · Two-seeded · Moderately resistant to foliar diseases and bacterial wilt diseases |
FOOD PROCESSORS · New Born Food Products, Inc. · Tobi Marketing Inc. · Growers Food Industries Enterprises, Inc. · Marigold Companies, Inc. · California Manufacturing Co. Inc. |
|
2. NSIC Pn 6 (Biyaya 14) |
· Dry season bean yield of 1.89 t/ha · Wet season bean yield of 1.97 t/ha · 66-67% shelling recovery · Two-seeded Spanish variety with thin seed coat · Resistant to leaf hopper |
|
|
3. NSIC Pn 11 (Namnama-1) |
· Confectionery varieties · Dry season pod yield of 2.60 t/ha · Wet season pod yield of 2.2 t/ha · All season variety · Medium maturity · 68-69% shelling recovery · Resistant to foliar diseases · Ideal for processing as food confections |
|
|
4. NSIC Pn 12 (Ilocos Pink) |
· Dry season pod yield of 2.3 t/ha · Wet season pod yield of 1.93 t/ha · Two-seeded · Medium-seeded · Medium-maturing |
|
|
5. NSIC Pn 14 (Namnama 2) |
· Confectionery varieties · Dry season pod yield of 2.23 t/ha · Wet season pod yield of 2.37 t/ha · Wet season variety with stable high yield · Large-seeded · Attractive as boiled and roasted nuts |
|