Detailed Explanation of the Seed Treatment Process Before Planting Peanuts

Introduction: The peanut belongs to the legume family. It is self-pollinating and its genetic traits are relatively stable, so it can be grown year after year. However, like other crops, the peanut has both heredity and variability. Heredity allows it to retain its original characteristics, while variability gives rise to the diversity of varieties. Seeds with a high rate of variation can no longer be used in field production, because the variety's original superior characteristics cannot be well expressed.

Generally speaking, after choosing a good variety, its stock seed can be planted continuously for 3 years. During this period, at each peanut harvest we must also re-purify the peanut seed, selecting seed produced by robust plants with large, plump pods, and discarding mixed, rotten and insect-damaged pods. (Addition) Before shelling, the seed should be sun-dried to increase the permeability of the seed coat and raise the osmotic pressure of the seed, that is, to enhance the seed's water-absorbing capacity and promote rapid germination.

After sun-drying treatment, peanuts can emerge 1 to 2 days earlier. When sun-drying, be sure to turn them so they dry as evenly as possible. Note, however, that they must not be exposed to blazing sun on a rooftop or on concrete ground. When sowing, do not sow large and small kernels mixed together, to avoid large and small seedlings growing side by side, with the large seedlings suppressing the small ones and causing a reduction in yield. According to experiments, sowing first-grade kernels increased yield by more than 20% compared with sowing mixed kernels; sowing second-grade kernels increased yield by more than 10% compared with sowing mixed kernels. Grade the kernels according to size: sow the large kernels together, sow the medium-sized kernels together, and discard the small, shrivelled, sprouted and mouldy seeds. Seed sown this way will germinate evenly, and there will be no large seedlings pressing down the small ones or competing with the small seedlings for fertiliser and water.