In an effort to study climate change, a research farm, Bavaria’s State Institute for Agriculture, has begun harvesting peanuts which were planted during the summer.
The peanut farming project was launched in response to increasing weather extremes, even in relatively temperate southern Germany.
Heat and prolonged drought are seen as looming challenges for agriculture in Bavaria.
The state-funded institute is experimenting with growing drought-resistant plants in Bavaria, including peanuts as well as sesame, mung and black-eyed peas.
According to the project leader, Klaus Fleiß, because of climate change, farmers in Bavaria are likely to have a hard time in the future with current staple crops such as corn, wheat, cucumber or potatoes.
“Peanut plants sent deep taproots into the soil which reach a depth of up to 2 metres just four weeks after sowing.”
The agricultural engineer further explained that such deep roots can still reach water even if the soil dries out from heat and a lack of rain.
“The harvest so far has varied depending on the peanut variety,” said Fleißner.
To find out which varieties are suitable for the area, he said, peanuts were planted over the course of at least three summers.
The planting was done in order to expose the crops to different weather conditions and planted in different soils.
Some peanuts yielded strong crops, while others less so.
He said, the weather has been difficult this summer, with a hot drought followed by a lengthy wet and cool period, then heat again.
“The plants weathered it well,’’ Fleißner said.
