Peanut Yield, Grade, and Economics with Two Surface Drip Lateral Orientations

Authors: Sorensen, Ronald - Ron; Lamb, Marshall

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2007
Publication Date: 6/27/2007
Citation: Sorensen, R.B., Lamb, M.C. 2007. Peanut Yield, Grade, and Economics with Two Surface Drip Lateral Orientations. American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary: None required.

Technical Abstract: Surface drip irrigation laterals were spaced next to crop rows and in alternate row middles to document crop yield, grade and gross/partial economic returns for this type of irrigation system compared with non-irrigation practices. A subsurface drip irrigation system was installed at two sites on a Faceville (Site 1) fine sandy loam (Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kandiudults) and a Greenville (Site 2) fine sandy loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kandiudults) with about 1% and 2 to 3% slope, respectively. Peanut cultivar ‘Georgia green’ was planted in both single and twin-row configuration with two lateral orientations. Peanut cultivar ‘Virugard’ was planted in a twin-row configuration with two lateral spacings. Pod yield, farmer stock grade, and economic returns were determined for the 2002 to 2004 growing season. Peanut irrigated with surface drip had greater yield, grade, and gross revenue compared with non-irrigated regime. Both Site 1 and 2 showed no difference in yield, grade, or economic returns between the two lateral spacings, 0.91 and 1.83 m. Yield, grade, and revenue differences were shown at Site 1 across years and site location. Differences can be attributed to yearly variations in climatic patterns and irrigation management. Site 2 was more stable with reference to yield, grade and revenue when compared with Site 1. This was probably due to slope and aspects characteristics associated with each site and not necessarily with soil type. Both Sites 1 and 2 responded positively to twin-row configuration compared with the single row orientation. Twin-row orientation had over 330 kg/ha greater yield, 1% more total sound mature kernels (TSMK), and over $150/ha compared with single row orientation. Cultivar ‘Georgia Green’ had over 500 kg/ha higher yield compared with ‘Virugard’ (4056 kg/ha). When using surface drip irrigation, a grower can use an alternate row middle lateral spacing without loss of yield, grade, or revenue compared with one lateral per crop row while reducing lateral tubing cost by half compared with laterals spaced adjacent each crop row.