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Groundnut Sowing Season in Vellore District
Vellore district in Tamil Nadu, India is primarily an agricultural district that contributes to the state’s economy. The district grows a variety of crops such as paddy, sugarcane, millets, and groundnut. Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), also known as peanut, is grown in considerable quantities in the district. In this article, we will look at the groundnut sowing season in Vellore district.
Groundnut is a warm-season crop that is sown in the summer months of April and May. The sowing is done when the soil temperature reaches around 25°C, and the moisture content is adequate for the seed to germinate. The groundnut requires well-drained soil with good fertility levels. The farmers prepare the land by plowing and leveling it before sowing the seeds. The seeds are spread on the land by spreading or drilling methods.
After sowing, the farmers water the field to help the seeds germinate. The groundnut plant requires around 50-150mm of rainfall during the growing season. In case the rainfall is inadequate, the farmers rely on irrigation methods like drip or sprinkler irrigation to provide water to the plants. The groundnut plant blooms around 40-50 days after sowing. It is a legume plant that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, making it a vital crop for soil fertility.
After around 130-150 days, the groundnut plant matures, and the pods are ready for harvesting. The farmers use machines or pluck the pods manually for harvest. The harvested pods are sun-dried and stored for around 6-8 months.
Groundnut is an essential crop for the farmers in Vellore district. It provides them with a good income and helps in soil fertility management. The government of Tamil Nadu provides various schemes and subsidies to encourage farmers to grow groundnut. The farmers in the district also take up mixed cropping or intercropping methods of cultivation to increase their income.
In conclusion, the groundnut sowing season in Vellore district starts in April and May, when the soil is warmer and moist. The crop is sown by spreading or drilling methods, and the plant takes around 130-150 days to mature. The farmers harvest the crop, sun-dry the pods, and store them for around 6-8 months. Groundnut cultivation is vital to the farmers in Vellore district and provides them with a good income.