What causes empty peanut shells and how to solve it?
Peanuts are grown in many regions of China and are an important oilseed and cash crop, bringing considerable economic benefits to growers. However, during cultivation, empty shells often occur, seriously affecting peanut yield and causing economic losses. So what causes empty peanut shells? How should it be solved? Below, the editor will help you solve this worry.
1. Variety reasons
Peanut variety is also one of the causes of empty shells. Generally, peanuts with empty shells are varieties of the large peanut series. These varieties have large and heavy seeds when planted, and correspondingly require more nutrients, so they are prone to empty shells; while the small peanut pearl series rarely has the phenomenon of empty shells.
Solution: When planting, try to choose varieties of the small peanut pearl series. If it is a large peanut variety, it is recommended to reduce planting density during cultivation, strengthen fertilizer and water management, and ensure sufficient nutrients for its growth.
2. Calcium deficiency
The main cause of empty peanut shells is calcium deficiency. During the pod development period of peanuts, if calcium is lacking, it will affect seed development and form empty shells. Calcium deficiency is sometimes caused by multiple factors, including soil and human management factors.
Soil: If the soil is too poor and fertility is insufficient, and no calcium fertilizer or organic fertilizer is applied, the supply falls short of demand, causing calcium deficiency. In addition, in acidic soils such as lateritic red soil and yellow-brown soil, the activity of calcium content is relatively low, making calcium deficiency very likely.
Climate: When planting encounters high temperature and rainy climate, calcium in the soil will be lost very quickly, and soil drought due to water shortage or waterlogging due to accumulated water will also affect the root system's absorption of calcium.
Improper fertilization: In order to pursue yield, some farmers blindly apply nitrogen fertilizer when fertilizing and neglect the application of other nutrients, resulting in excessive nitrogen in the soil, causing peanut plants to grow excessively, while the underground parts form empty shells due to lack of nutrients. In addition, boron deficiency can also cause empty peanut shells, and excessive potassium fertilizer application can also cause empty shells.
3. Control measures
If calcium is deficient, fertilizer should be applied in time to supplement calcium. Organic fertilizer can be applied to the soil, with 3000-4000 kg of organic fertilizer applied per mu to ensure a comprehensive nutrient supply. During topdressing, apply superphosphate, which not only contains phosphorus but is also rich in calcium, and can increase both calcium and phosphorus nutrients in the soil. Generally, 30 kg per mu is applied as base fertilizer, and 10-20 kg per mu is applied during later topdressing. At the flowering and pod-setting stages, spray boron fertilizer on the leaves once each time to promote flowering and pod formation, increase seed weight, and increase yield. When applying potassium fertilizer, apply it deeply to prevent excessive potassium in the fruiting layer from affecting calcium absorption. This can be done during intertillage and applied with deep ploughing.
The above are the causes of empty peanut shells and solutions. I hope it can help you. To learn more about peanut cultivation knowledge, please follow us.