Information on soil testing is available in Soil Testing , HGIC 1652 . Peanuts are legumes, which are plants that bear their seed in a pod. In addition, they indirectly obtain nitrogen from the air with the aid of bacteria. Rhizobium bacteria live in nodules on the roots and convert nitrogen from the air into a form that can be used by the plants. Therefore, it is generally unnecessary to apply nitrogen.
Peanuts are extremely sensitive to fertilizer-burn.
Peanut plants respond better to residual fertility than to directly-applied fertilizer. Where possible, it is best to plant peanuts after a heavily fertilized crop. On soils of medium to high fertility, peanuts give very little yield response to a direct application of fertilizer. Fertilizer materials should not be applied in the furrow with the seed nor over the row after planting. Broadcast fertilizer over the surface and incorporate it into the soil.