Location: National Peanut Research Laboratory
2022 Annual Report
Objectives
1. Identify crop rotations, irrigation systems, plant populations, row orientations, and row spacings best adapted for sustainable peanut-based agriculture systems.
2. Develop and evaluate a new decision support system to improve sustainability of peanut-based agriculture systems.
Approach
The United States peanut industry generates approximately $4.4 billion annually in economic activity. Much of this activity is located in rural areas that are directly dependent on peanuts to sustain rural economies and foster rural economic development. Over the past decade, the peanut industry has been in a period of economic and technological adjustment driven by changes in peanut policy, increased cost of production, and repeated drought in the major peanut producing regions. The purpose of this project is to conduct farm systems research to identify crop management techniques that will conserve natural resources and offer new production and management techniques that will sustain peanuts and crops grown in rotation with peanuts. Objective 1 will focus on the management practices of drip irrigation systems with respect to crop rotation, plant population, row orientation, and row spacing for sustainable peanut-based agriculture systems. These management practices will enhance an existing database for Objective 2, which is to develop and evaluate a new decision support system to quantify and improve the economic viability and sustainability of peanut-based agriculture systems. Results will improve knowledge on irrigation system selection, crop rotations, row spacing, and plant population in peanut-based agricultural systems and provide a platform quantifying economic and sustainable impacts. End users include farmers, crop consultants, university extension personnel, bankers/lenders, policy makers, and others.
Progress Report
Objective 1 and 2: For FY2021, in early spring all fields were tilled and prepared according to the project plan. Crops were planted in a timely manner with the various treatments selected for crop rotation, row pattern, and seeding rate. Fertility management followed best management practices. Other crop management techniques were applied at appropriate time and rates for herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides on each specific crop. All rainfall events were recorded electronically and manually to confirm rainfall events. All irrigation events were applied and recorded as dictated by the project plan. All crops were harvested at maturity and yield data factors were collected as required to determine crop value, water used efficiency, and value water use efficiency. Sustainable crop metrics (yield and phenology) were collected as described previously. Overall, crops were planted and harvested according to the project plan. Data analysis are being conducted and two manuscripts are being prepared by ARS scientists at Dawson, Georgia, for publication concerning row spacing and plant population for corn, cotton, and peanut rotations. Technology transfer was continued during FY2021 via virtual (25%) and in-person (75%) meetings for a total of 22 meetings.
Accomplishments
1. Corn, cotton, and peanut response to row spacing, seeding rate, and irrigation system. The use of subsurface drip irrigation may lead to lower germination rates and loss of yield when planting crops during drought conditions. The use of shallow subsurface drip may alleviate this problem. Therefore, planting crop rows closer to a drip line water source should result in increased seed development, greater crop yield, possible water savings, and may reduce seeding rate without affecting yield, resulting in lower seed costs. This research documents the yield response of corn, cotton, and peanut planted in two crop row spacings (0.76 and 0.91 m), at two seeding rates (1X and 0.5X), at four locations, and two irrigation systems (sprinkler and drip). Crops were managed by ARS scientists at Dawson, Georgia, using best management practices for maximum yield. Irrigation events were scheduled to minimize soil water stress. There was no yield response across all crops, locations, or irrigation systems for 0.76 versus 0.91-m crop row spacing. The 0.5X seeding rate in drip irrigation and across all sites reduced corn yield and revenue by an average 1572 kg/ha and $-94/ha, respectively. The 0.5X seeding rate in drip irrigation did not decrease yield in cotton or peanut and revenue above seed cost averaged $16 and $95/ha, respectively. It should be noted that in cotton and peanut, the 0.5X seeding rate may impose a greater risk for yield loss due to low germination due to drought (cotton) and increased disease (peanut). In conclusion, moving the seed row closer to a drip lateral had no effect on yield and using 0.5X seeding rates for these crops may not always be economical.
2. Cotton yield and quality response to row pattern, seeding rate, and irrigation system. Cotton is a major rotational crop associated with peanut cropping systems in Southwest Georgia. Since peanut is typically planted in twin-rows for greater yield and grade, use of the same twin-row planter for cotton would be cost effective. It is not clear what effect row pattern would have on cotton lint yield using drip irrigation. The objectives were to compare cotton yield when planted in different row patterns, with two plant densities, at multiple locations, and irrigated with drip or sprinkler irrigation systems. Cotton was planted by ARS scientists at Dawson, Georgia, in single and twin-row patterns at recommended and half-recommended seeding rates (90,000 and 45,000 seeds/ha, respectively). Irrigation systems were subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI), shallow subsurface drip irrigation (S3DI), and overhead sprinkler. Row pattern (single or twin-row), seeding rate, or irrigation system had no effect on lint yield. There were some fiber characteristic differences, probably due to cultivar, but there was no consistency to draw any conclusions. Cost savings from planting at half-recommended seeding rate ranged from $-55/ha to over $136/ha depending on year and location while covering the loss of yield and revenue 66% of the time. For consistent year-to-year yield and economics, it is recommended to plant cotton at recommended seeding rates using single or twin-rows with either drip or sprinkler irrigation systems. Reducing seeding rates less than recommended may increase risk of lower yields and revenue that may not be covered by money saved using less seed.
Review Publications
Sorensen, R.B., Lamb, M.C., Butts, C.L. 2021. Corn yield as affected by row pattern, plant density, and irrigation system. Journal of Crop Improvement. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2021.1980754.
Massa, A.N., Arias De Ares, R.S., Sorensen, R.B., Sobolev, V., Tallury, S.P., Stalker, T.S., Lamb, M.C. 2021. Evaluation of leaf spot resistance in wild arachis species of section arachis. Peanut Science. 48(2):68-75. https://doi.org/10.3146/PS20-25.1.
