Influence of Plant Population and Harvest Date on Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Yield and Aflatoxin Contamination

Establishing the optimum plant population and harvesting at pod maturity are important in maximizing yield of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.). The interaction these two practices have not been documented Malawi with respect to both aflatoxin contamination peanut. Research was conducted Mpatsanjoka farm Salima district during 2015-2016 2016-2017 growing cycles determine interactions harvest date on concentration cultivar CG7. Peanut seeded raised beds spaced 75-cm apart three different planting patterns establish final populations. A single row pattern consisted one each center seed 15-cm used a density 89,000 seed/ha (referred as low seeding rate). twin included rows 25 cm 15 between seeds 178,000 medium population). triple 7 278,000 high density). for dug 10 days before physiological pods, maturity, 4 6 weeks after maturity. Pod increased rate subsequent but decreased delayed past Yield highest exceeded that populations; greater years. Aflatoxin affected by Harvesting d prior did affect grain or compared