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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #221327
Title: Evaluation of Peanut Cultivars for Suitability in Biodiesel Production Systems.

Author
item Faircloth, Wilson
item Rowland, Diane
item Lamb, Marshall
item Davis, Jack

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/9/2007
Publication Date: 10/1/2007
Citation: Faircloth, W.H., Rowland, D., Lamb, M.C., Davis, J.P. 2007. Evaluation of Peanut Cultivars for Suitability in Biodiesel Production Systems.. American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary: none required.

Technical Abstract: Nineteen currently and previously available peanut cultivars were field tested for oil production capability in a low-input production system designed for biodiesel use. This low input system was characterized by strip tillage into a rolled rye cover crop, no use of either insecticides or fungicides, and limited herbicide usage (< $15.00 acre-1). Treatments were a factorial arrangement of cultivar (13) and irrigation (none or drip irrigation) in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Six more cultivars were included in the dryland area only, for a total of 19 cultivars evaluated. Peanut was planted 2-jun-2006 and harvested at one of two dates (135 or 152 d after planting), depending on maturity classification. The study was conducted on a Redbay loamy sand near Dawson, GA in 2006. Rainfall at the site was 10 inches below average for the entire growing season, resulting in severe drought conditions given the sandy soil. Irrigated peanut yield ranged from 1680 to 2890 lb acre-1, while dryland yields ranged from 1180 to 2580 lb acre-1. The top five cultivars in both irrigated and dryland conditions were Georgia-03L, Georgia-04S, DP1, Georganic, and C-99R. Consistently poor performing cultivars included Georgia Browne, Georgia-05E, and Georgia-01R. Yield samples were graded and select kernels analyzed for oil content. Oil production was estimated for eight varieties by multiplying yield x % kernels x kernel oil content. Oil production ranged from 94 to 133 gal acre-1. C-99R, DP1, and Georganic each yielded in excess of 120 gal acre-1. Production costs in this system were estimated at $264.17 and $203.75 acre-1 for irrigated and dryland, respectively. At these levels of input, peanut oil can be realistically produced for $2.20 to $1.70 per gallon in irrigated and dryland systems, respectively. Both irrigated and dryland systems are competitive with petroleum-based diesel at current prices, however, dryland systems would offer a significant cost savings.