Achievements

• Based ont he long term rainfall data of Anantapur and parts of Cuddapah possible duration of crop growing seson, time and duration of occurrence of drought was estimated. Impact of climatic variability on groundnut productivity in Anantapur district has been analysed.
   
• Crop growing environment of groundnut crop in Andhra Pradesh has been worked out. It was found that mean rainfall during the cropping period (July-October) whether it is higher (750 mm), medium (500-750 mm) or lower (<500 mm) had little effect on the mean groundnut productivity from these rainfall zones. It was observed that 400 mm of rainfall with good distribution during crop growth period is sufficient to get higher pod yield.
   
• The influence of weather parameters on growth, yield and yield attributes of groundnut was studied under rainfaed and protective irrigation conditions. Daily mean minimum temperature of 20.5 to 22.5°C was found to be optimum during pod filling stage in groundnut crop and any deviation on either side of this range reduced the yield considerably.
   
• Weather related control of leaf spot disease in groundnut indicated that fungicide spray according to weather significantly maintained better pod yield while reducing pesticide application. Sudden increase in maximum temperature by 2°C of more above normal and its persistence followed by dry spell causes outbreak of leaf weber pest on groundnut.