How to irrigate peanuts properly? A detailed guide to the latest methods
Peanuts are generally cultivated in sandy soil and need an airy soil environment, but peanut growth also requires moisture, and when natural moisture is insufficient, moisture must be provided artificially. So how should peanuts be given supplemental water, what kind of irrigation method should be used, and how should irrigation be done to achieve the best effect? Read on to find the answers.
1. Irrigation principles
Do not use flood irrigation. Even during the flowering and podding stage, when water demand is greatest, watering must always maintain soil air permeability. Irrigation should always follow a curved pattern: less in the early stage, more in the middle stage, and less in the late stage. The pegging stage requires somewhat more irrigation. In fact, different peanut varieties have different water requirements. Water must not be excessive, as this affects flowering, reduces fertilization, and impairs development.
2. Growth period
At this time water consumption is not high; that is, from sowing to emergence, water consumption is very low, but the soil needs to be moist enough and kept at high humidity so that growth and development remain good. However, when the moisture content is too low, irrigation is needed. Generally, if you grab the soil and it forms a ball, then crumbles apart when released, it is time to irrigate. If it forms a ball when grabbed and does not crumble, you can skip irrigation.
3. Pegging stage
⟦NL>During the flowering stage, a large number of pegs form, growth is relatively fast, stems and leaves grow vigorously, daily transpiration increases, and a large amount of water needs to be supplied. When the pegs begin to penetrate the soil and pods form, even more water is needed. This is the period of greatest water consumption, so use drip irrigation to supply water continuously and keep the soil moist at all times.4. Irrigation methods
Open furrows in the field, every other row, then plant on high ridges, then release water into the furrows until the soil in the nearby ridge rows is moist, then drain the water away. With sprinkler irrigation, you can connect a hose directly to a sprinkler head and spray evenly in sequence. With drip irrigation, use a hose with small holes of about 5 mm punched at 20 cm intervals, and lay it along the rows in the field. These methods can be chosen according to water demand.
Peanut irrigation needs to be selected according to the growth stage and water demand, choosing a suitable irrigation method for complete irrigation, though the actual situation should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.