How to grow groundnuts in Uganda. Groundnut is one of the most important legumes grown and consumed in Uganda. The plant is translated in Luganda as Ebinyebwa Groundnuts are the second widely grown legumes in Uganda after the beans. Groundnut is a unique plant, in that after pollination its flowers bend until the ovary touches the ground where the pod develops. Common Groundnut varieties in Uganda include. Serenut. (14R, 13T, 12R, 5R, 4T) and Igola are present in East Africa.

 

Climatic conditions required by ground nuts.

Moderate rainfall that is well distributed and relatively low altitude below 1500mm.

Optimum temperature of about 27®c and 37®c.

Contact the Uganda Agribusiness guide to buy fresh and Dry Groundnuts in Africa.

Groundnut Soil requirements

 

All soils other than the heavy soils are suitable for growing ground nut.

The best are however the well-drained sandy, sandy loams, or loamy sandy soils.

Groundnuts also require adequate levels of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

 

 

How to plant Groundnuts in Uganda

 

Groundnuts should be planted at the onset of the rains.

Sow the seeds at the depth of 5-6cm.

Thairum should be dusted on to the seeds so as they are protected from soil fungi and bacteria.

Fertilizer application; the most limiting nutrients for ground nuts are phosphorus, potassium, calcium and sulphur.

Calcium is required during pod filling.

Weeding; weed in the first 3-6 weeks after planting as groundnuts can’t compete with weeds effectively during this period.

 

How to harvest your Groundnuts in Uganda

 

Bunchy groundnuts mature after 115-120 days depending on variety.

The semi spreading types mature between 125-135 days.

Leaves for mature groundnuts turn yellowish and most will drop off.

 

 

Quick Tips for planting ground nut in uganda

 

 

 

 

 

·         Ground nuts do grow better on friable soils which have rather higher sand particles.

 

 

 

·         On a well-prepared field, open up holes of about 5-6 cm in rows.

 

 

 

·         Use certified seeds for sowing.

 

 

 

·         Before placing the seeds in to the holes, dust them with thorium to protect them from fungi.

 

 

 

·         Using 2-3 seeds sow them in to the holes and cover with soils.

 

 

 

·         Weed the crop 2 to 3 weeks from planting. CAN fertilizers can be used to supplement calcium source in the soil.