Groundnut Yield Estimates per mesozone

*Data shows groundnut yield estimates allocated to mesozones. Yield estimates were derived from Schulze R.E. and Maharaj M. (2007) and then allocated to mesozones by combining with a base mesozone layer obtained from the CSIR Geospatial Analysis Platform (GAP). *Going by Smith's (1994; 1998) criteria, the climatically most suitable areas for dryland groundnut production are the north-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, much of KwaZulu- Natal, and parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, with some areas having the potential to produce in excess of 3.5 t/ha. This is in stark contrast with the actual production areas of North West, the Northern Cape and the Free State. *Using Smith's (1994; 1998) climatic criteria, yields of groundnuts are estimated using the effective rainfall for October to March and heat units (base 10°C) for the same period, with modifications to yields made for soil properties and levels of management.