Location: National Peanut Research Laboratory
2023 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
Manuscripts were completed and published. The technique of moving the crop row closer to the drip tubing and implementing less seed for increased yield, economic strategy, and possible water savings had mixed results. Over the life of this project, 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.
The agronomic strategy of using twin row versus single row, and normal versus half normal seeding rates for improved yield or economic benefits in cotton were tested by ARS scientists in Dawson, Georgia on various irrigation systems. Irrigation systems included 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.
Accomplishments
Review Publications
Sorensen, R.B., Lamb, M.C., Butts, C.L. 2022. Corn yield response to irrigation level, crop rotation, and irrigation system. Journal of Crop Improvement. 36(5):701-716. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2021.2005212.
Sorensen, R.B., Lamb, M.C., Butts, C.L. 2022. Corn, cotton, and peanut response to row spacing, seeding rate, and irrigation system. Journal of Crop Improvement. (37)3:323-340. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2022.2093809.
