RA 00183.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

Groundnut Agronomy in Cote d'lvoire
A. Amalaman 1
Groundnuts are widely cultivated in northern Cote d'lvoire either as a sole crop or intercropped
with cereals (maize, millet or sorghum). They have valuable industrial use and are
also very important for their other uses, such as, haulms for livestock feed.
The groundnut program was started at IDESSA in 1982, to provide techniques suited to
extension for short-term development purposes.
Agronomy Program
The aim of the program is to develop methods that improve traditional cultural practices and
are simple and easy to extend. The program is divided into two main areas: experiments and
surveys.
Experiments
Experiments on fertilization, sowing density, and tilling are carried out. Results showed that
phosphorus was the main nutrient of groundnuts. Spanish-type varieties responded better to
higher sowing densities without fertilization. Seed treatment with Thioral increased by 15%
the number of plants harvested but had no significant effect on the harvested weight. The
variety RMP 91 performed better than the local variety in the northern part of the country. Its
superior performance was evident even without fertilization. Tillage gave mediocre results.
The positive interaction of plowing with ridging on the emergence rate and the positive effect
of ridging on population densities and yield were the only results that were obtained.
Agricultural Surveys
The aim of the surveys is to identify the major constraints that hamper groundnut production
on the farm. Results showed that soil changes and late sowing were severe constraints.
1. Assistant de recherche, Institut des Savanes (IDESSA), 01 B.P. 635, Bouake, C6te d'lvoire.
Citation: ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics). 1991. Summary Proceedings of
the Second ICRISAT Regional Groundnut Meeting for West Africa, 11-14 Sep 1990, ICRISAT Sahelian Center,
Niamey, Niger. Patancheru, A.P. 502 324, India: ICRISAT.
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