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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #211849
Title: Spatial Arrangement of Irrigated Valencia Peanuts to Improve Light Interception and Utilization in - Eastern New Mexico and West Texas

Author
item ANDADI, SANGU - NM STATE UNIVERSITY
item Nuti, Russell
item PUPPALA, NAVEEN - NM STATE UNIVERSITY
item Sorensen, Ronald - Ron

Submitted to: Western Society of Crop Science Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2007
Publication Date: 6/18/2007
Citation: Andadi, S.V., Nuti, R.C., Puppala, N., Sorensen, R.B. 2007. Spatial Arrangement of Irrigated Valencia Peanuts to Improve Light Interception and Utilization in - Eastern New Mexico and West Texas. Western Society of Crop Science Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: none required.

Technical Abstract: Planting arrangements can be used to improve resource use efficiency. A field study was conducted on a growers farm South of Clovis, NM in 2006 to compare light interception and radiation use efficiency in a single row, twin row, and diamond planting pattern. The diamond planting pattern places seed equidistantly and reduces early plant to plant competition. Line quantum sensors were installed across the crop rows and above the crop canopy (2m) to monitor diurnal and seasonal patterns of light interception between 65 and 150 days after planting. Both diurnal and seasonal patterns of light interception by Valencia peanut were significantly affected by planting patterns. Light interception increased over time and peaked before maturity. Better spatial distribution of peanut plants by diamond planting improved light interception throughout the growing season compared to single row and twin row patterns. It also reduced diurnal variation in light interception. The light interception benefits with diamond planting were greater early in the season suggesting a potential benefit of cooler conditions for improved water use efficiency. Plants in twin rows intercepted less radiation earlier in the season; however at mid-season, it was similar to diamond. The regression analysis was highly significant and explained more than 82% of the variation. Biomass and yield observations indicated that the improved light interception in diamond planting improved biomass and yield, but not the harvest index. These results suggest that diamond and twin row planting have the potential to improve Valencia peanut yields.