Optimum harvest time is determined by uprooting a few representative plants from different spots in the field around the expected time of maturity and checking the inner side of the pod shell, which shows black colour when mature. When 75-80% pods in case of Spanish/ Valencia cultivars and 70-75% pods in case of Virginia cultivars show internal pericarp darkening, the crop is ready for harvest. If sprouting of seeds is observed in Spanish/Valencia cultivars (due to rains at harvest time in cultivars lacking fresh seed dormancy), the crop should be harvested as soon as the conditions permit without waiting for 75-80% of pods to mature. Over maturity or delay in harvesting can result in greater pod loss in the soil and deterioration in pod quality.
When and how to harvest groundnut?
