Modelling peanuts for nut-in-shell and fodder yield in the northern Australian tropics

Abstract

Peanuts are a popular crop grown for their nutrient-rich nuts-in-shells. These crops also play a crucial role in enhancing the sustainability of farming systems. In addition to the nuts-in-shell, which the crop starts producing below-ground four to six weeks after sowing, peanuts make a substantial amount of above-ground biomass, mainly nitrogen-rich green foliage, stems, and branches. We hypothesized that some part of the above-ground biomass could be harvested or grazed without affecting the growth of the developing pods, making it valuable fodder for cattle or dry hay, especially in times of scarcity. In various tropical regions of northern Australia, experiments supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) have explored the dual potential of peanuts - for both nuts-in-shell production and grazing purposes. Leveraging the data from these experiments, we have refined and validated the APSIM model to simulate these dual-purpose capabilities of peanuts. This presentation aims to delve into this model's applications to explore the dual-purpose potential of peanuts in two environments.