Mae Hong Son Tiger Peanuts were called ‘‘the striped peanuts’’ at first because of their physical striped appearance. The Karasin 2 peanuts were brought to Mae Hong Son by the ‘Mae Hong Son Agricultural Depart (3)

Mae Hong Son Tiger Peanuts were called ‘‘the striped peanuts’’ at first because of their physical striped appearance. The Karasin 2 peanuts were brought to Mae Hong Son by the ‘Mae Hong Son Agricultural Department’. They were distributed to 4 districts in the province which are in Muang, Pang Ma Pa, KunYuam and Pai. The department assisted the farmers in planting and taking care of them. In Mae Hong Son there’s adequate rainfall which makes the calcium be absorbed easily by the plant hence having big nuts and full in the pod. The high rainfall which is always 75% helps in having high moisture in the air making it suitable for the plants.The height above the sea level in Mae Hong Son being 200 meters determines the amount of sunlight and water that the plants receive. This makes the peanuts do so well and become outstanding. The tiger-striped peanuts grown in Mae Hong Son have a high quality, but the price was too low while the cost of production was too high. Mae Hong Son Provincial Administrative Organization tried to solve this problem by promoting tiger-striped peanuts to GI Thailand to add more value, develop the economy of communities and create local sustainability.

Mae Hong Son Province has the best soil for farming. The Soil PH is between 5.5- 6.5 which is suitable for the peanuts to grow well. It’s the black, loam, mixed with a little of clay which is suitable for farming. The clay soil helps in holding the water for quite some time which helps the peanut plants when there’s no rain. Due to the good soil the peanut roots can penetrate easily in to the soil making them grow well and be of good quality and quantity. The soil is as well rich in minerals like phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. - The Phosphorus in the soil helps in increasing the quantity of the peanuts. This is essential in cell development. Lack of it would lead to decreased crop yield. - The Potassium helps in improving the quality of the peanuts and also gives them a sweet taste. It’s essential as well for enhancement of root growth of the peanuts, helps in drought resistance, activate enzymes, reduce water loss and aid in photosynthesis. Lack of it would lead to decreased crop yield as will · - Nitrogen is actually considered the most important component for supporting plant growth. Nitrogen is part of the chlorophyll molecule, which gives plants their green color and is involved in creating food for the plant through photosynthesis. Lack of nitrogen shows up as general yellowing. - Due to Mae Hong Son Landscape being one of the best in the country, the good and rich soils, enough rainfall, the good altitude, mountains, forests and streams help in producing the best outstanding tiger striped peanuts. All these help in better peanuts yield, and this made the government promote them to the GI Tiger-Striped peanuts.

When the peanuts were brought to Mae Hong Son province, ‘The Karasin 2’ changed to ‘The GI tiger-stripe peanut Mae Hong Son’. The peanuts changed, became better and unique in the province. They started to have: Long beautiful pods. Thin cover. The cover stripes became deep and outstanding. Full in size in the pod, 2-4 nuts in one pod. After removing the cover we see the outstanding deep purple striped peels similar to the tiger’s stripes. They also became crunchy and sweet.

The peanut plant is unique because the flowers grow above the ground, yet the pods containing the seeds develop in the soil. The yellow, pea-like blossoms are self-pollinating. Once fertilized, the delicate petals fall away. The stalks (called pegs) just under the ovaries then elongate and bends towards the earth, growing in to the soil. When underground the ovary at the tip of each stalk enlarges to form a pea. The pegs sometimes reach down 10 cm (4 inches) or more before their tips can develop fruits. These unusual fruits appear to function as roots to some degree, absorbing mineral nutrients directly from the soil. The pods may not develop properly unless the soil around them is well supplied with available calcium, regardless of the nutrients available to the roots.

In Muang they are planted before the rainfall. While in Pang Ma Pa, KunYuam and Pai they are planted during the rainfall season. The hill tribe plant them as well after the rainfall season. 1. Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost. 2. Remove the seeds from their shells before sowing. But be very careful not to remove or damage the tender skin on the seeds or the seeds won't germinate. 3. Plant 2-3 seed in a hole. The hole depth should be 3-5cm deep. Then Leave 25cm between the rows. 4. Keep the soil moist to ensure germination. 5. Seeds will germinate in5 to 7 days. 6. Thin the seedlings when they are about 2 inches tall, to a spacing of 8 to 12 inches. 7. As the plants grow to about a foot tall, \"hill\" them by heaping additional soil around the base of the stem, along with light mulch for weed control. The hill accommodates the peg. 8. Pegs grow from the faded flowers and push into the soil about 1 to 3 inches. Weekly watering to prevent the pods from drying out is also essential.

Once seeds go in the ground, keeping the area around the peanut plants weed-free is very important to produce healthy pegs. After the plant has flowered and has been pollinated, it will start sending pegs into the soil. Adding a couple of inches of mulch when the plants grow to about a foot tall helps with weed control and keeps the soil soft enough for pegs to penetrate. Peanuts need about 1 inch of rain or irrigation per week during the growing season. Watering is most critical immediately after planting, to ensure germination and establishment of the seedlings, then again 60 to 110 days after planting when the pegs have entered the soil and are filling with peanut clusters. Stop watering the plants 20 days before harvesting. - During the rainfall season there is no need to water. - During the dry months they need to be watered every 7 days for the 1st month and then every 10 days after the first month. - Watering should be stopped 20 days before harvesting. When watering, avoid wetting the leaves and use drip irrigation if possible. The soil should be moist but not saturated. In short the peanut plant needs: Water Light Good soil Good temperature and humidity

Several signs will tell you that peanuts are ready to be harvested. The most obvious is brown color from cream, but you should also pull a couple of pods from the ground and inspect them carefully. Ready-to-harvest pods have the typical veined surface, the seed coats are colored, and most of the pods have a darkened inside surface. When you harvest the peanuts, the soil must be dry. After digging the peanuts; Hang the peanuts in a dry, warm location with good air circulation. Leave them for about one week. Shake the soil from the pods. Remove the peanuts from the vines. Continue to air-d­ ry the peanuts on the ground for another week or two.

Prevents heart disease People who consume peanuts (on average 4-5 peanuts/day) have a lower risk of having a cardiovascular disease compared to those who do not eat peanuts at all. They have healthy oils, protein and fiber which can help reduce cholesterol. Peanuts are a rich source of monounsaturated fat—a heart-healthy type of fat that helps lower LDL levels. They can also stop small blood clots from forming and reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Reduce high blood pressure Snacking on Tiger striped peanuts, in moderation, the BP reading may be lowered. They contain magnesium and potassium—two minerals that help control blood pressure. Improve eye health The peanuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which boost the eye health and protect the eye's cells from “free radicals” that could break down the eye's tissue

Prevents cancer The (Resveratrol) – is found in the GI tiger peanuts. It’s an antioxidant that has been shown to cut off blood supply to growing cancers and inhibit cancer cell growth. Unsaturated fats, certain vitamins and minerals, and many bio-actives have cancer-preventing qualities and are all packaged into one peanut kernel. Reduce diabetes GI Tiger Peanuts are an excellent food for people with diabetes or at a risk of diabetes. Peanuts have a low glycemic index (GI), meaning they do not cause big spikes in blood sugar levels. The natural fats in peanuts are effective at reducing glycemic index of other foods being consumed at the same time. Peanuts help control both fasting blood sugars and post-postprandial levels (after a meal). Help in weight management Tiger striped peanuts can be a satisfying snack. The fiber and protein in them promotes the feeling of being full for longer, preventing overeating.

Increases and improves breast milk The protein, iron, and vitamin B found in the Striped Tiger Peanuts support lactation and boost milk supply. Folic acid or vitamin B9 nutrient in the nuts is vital in the growth of muscle and nervous tissues in the baby. The phosphorus present in peanuts helps strengthen baby’s teeth and bones. Biotin is also found in the nuts. It’s essential in the development and maintenance of baby’s healthy hair, skin, nails, eyes, nerves, and other organs. Improve memory The amazing variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plant-based protein in the nuts have a unique combination that has helped the peanut gain traction with nutritionists, doctors, and even those just looking for a simple food with big benefits for the brain. Eating some nuts a day may improve thinking, reasoning and memory and keep age-related mental disorders at bay.

วาดภาพ โดย นางสาว: จุฑามาศ แสงทอง ชื่อเล่น: ปอนด์กุล ปัจจุบันศึกษาอยู่ชั้นมัธยมศึกษาปีที่6 โรงเรียนเทศบาลเมืองแม่ฮ่องสอน นางสาว: เจนจิรา มณีรัตน์ ชื่อเล่น: ใบเตย ปัจจุบันศึกษาอยู่ชั้นมัธยมศึกษาปีที่6 โรงเรียนเทศบาลเมืองแม่ฮ่องสอน เรียบเรียงเนื้อหาโดย นางสาว: ภรณ์ธิตา ต้นธิสา ชื่อเล่น: ชเวฟ ปัจจุบันศึกษาอยู่ชั้นมัธยมศึกษาปีที่6 โรงเรียนเทศบาลเมืองแม่ฮ่องสอน