RA 00015.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

O I L S E E D
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)
Groundnuts - a s sources of human and animal feeds and as an economic crop - are one of the most
important legumes of the semi-arid tropics. Of the world's total production, two-thirds is produced in
the SAT. Yields are low, however, averaging only 500 to 800 kg/ha. Yields in the United States and
some other areas can average around 2500 kg/ha and in some areas will often be 5000 kg/ha.
I C R I S A T Goals
ICRISAT's groundnut program can be summarized into three broad-based objectives:
To assemble, maintain, and screen a world collection of cultivated and wild Arachis material.
To seek, through breeding programs, to increase yields and incorporate resistance to important
pests and diseases. Improvement of quality is also an important goal.
To provide introductions and segregating populations to all groundnut breeders in the SAT.
I C R I S A T Center
The soil and climatic conditions at ICRISAT Center are ideal for groundnut research applicable to
SAT agriculture. In addition to the major effort conducted under the rainfed situation of the normal
season, irrigated crops will be produced during the postrainy and hot dry seasons in order to facilitate
the breeding program.
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