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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #179859
Title: NARROW AND WIDE STRIP TILLAGE PRODUCTION FOR PEANUT

Author
item Balkcom, Kipling
item Arriaga, Francisco
item HARTZOG, DALLAS - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2005
Publication Date: 6/30/2005
Citation: Balkcom, K.S., Arriaga, F.J., Hartzog, D.L. 2005. Narrow and wide strip tillage production for peanut. In: Proceedings of the Southern Conservation Tillage Systems Conference, June 27-29, 2005, Clemson University, Florence, South Carolina. p. 47-54.

Interpretive Summary: Increased production costs and potential benefits of maintaining surface residue has renewed interest in conservation tillage systems for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. Scientists at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in cooperation with Auburn University designed a study to determine surface residue cover following two strip tillage systems (narrow vs wide), compare yields three new peanut cultivars (Anorden, AP-3, and GA 02-C) across each strip tillage system with two row spacings (single vs twin). Soil moisture levels were also measured across the treatments. Two locations were established in Fairhope and Headland, AL during the 2004 growing season. The narrow strip tillage system produced higher surface residue cover at Fairhope. Yield differences between cultivars showed that GA 02-C and AP-3 yielded higher than Anorden at Fairhope, while no yield differences were observed at Headland. Strip tillage system or row pattern had no effect on yield at either location. Soil moisture contents measured at Headland followed the same trend as measured peanut yields, while row spacing had no effect on soil moisture. Preliminary results indicate that growers using conservation tillage practices for peanut may not require a wide tillage strip, regardless of whether they use single or twin rows.

Technical Abstract: Increased production costs and potential benefits of maintaining surface residue has renewed interest in conservation tillage systems for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. We initiated a study to determine surface residue cover following two strip tillage systems (narrow vs wide), compare yields and sound mature kernels (SMK) of three peanut cultivars (Anorden, AP-3, and GA 02-C) across each strip tillage system with two row spacings (single vs twin), and evaluate soil moisture between these treatments. Two experimental sites were established on a Malbis fine sandy loam (Fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Plinthic Paleudults) in Fairhope, AL and a Dothan loamy sand (Fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Plinthic, Kandiudults) in Headland, AL during the 2004 growing season. First year results indicated that the narrow strip tillage system produced higher surface residue cover at the Fairhope location. Yield differences between cultivars showed that GA 02-C and AP-3 yielded higher than Anorden at Fairhope, while no yield differences were observed at Headland. GA 02-C had higher SMK at both locations, but AP-3 SMK were higher than Anorden at Fairhope, while Anorden SMK were greater compared to AP-3 at Headland. Strip tillage system or row pattern had no effect on yield or SMK at either location. Although not significant, soil moisture contents measured at Headland followed the same trend as measured peanut yields, while row spacing had no effect on soil moisture contents. Preliminary results indicated that peanut conservation tillage practices may not require a wide tillage strip regardless of row pattern.