Peanuts

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are legumes native to South America, particularly Bolivia and northern Argentina, that have adapted to warm subtropical and tropical climates worldwide. This unique crop requires temperatures between 20-30°C and a growing season of 120-150 frost-free days with moderate rainfall (500-1000mm). Peanuts thrive in well-drained, sandy loam soils and have the fascinating characteristic of flowering above ground before the developing pods burrow into the soil to mature. The nuts are nutritionally rich, containing high-quality protein (25-30%), healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, niacin, and folate. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, peanuts require minimal nitrogen fertilization but need adequate calcium for proper pod development and potassium for oil production.