Peanut yield as affected by liming and drying method

Peanut (Arachis hypogea L.), cv. Botutatu was grown in a Dark Red Latosol ( Haplortox, sandy loam) in Sao Manuel, Sao Paulo, to study the effects of li ming and drying method on grain yields. Treatments consisted of lime rates (0 and 2.05 Mg ha(-1)) and the drying methods: shadow, field and two combin ations of field + oven. Manganese toxicity desapeared in limed plots, provi ding a better nodulation and N nutrition, which in turn, led to a higher pl ant branching, a higher number of fruits per plant and higher yields. Yield losses were lower in limed plots. The plots dried in the shadow and in the combined field + oven method yielded more than those field dried because t hey allowed a better fruit maturation and lower yield losses.