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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #307393
Title: Perpendicular cultivation for improved weed control in organic peanut production

Author
item Johnson, Wiley - Carroll
item DAVIS, JERRY - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2014
Publication Date: 1/17/2015
Citation: Johnson, W.C., Davis, J.W. 2015. Perpendicular cultivation for improved weed control in organic peanut production. Weed Technology. 29:128-134.

Interpretive Summary: Intensive cultivation in organic peanut is partially effective, but weeds present in the row remain difficult to control. In an attempt to improve in-row weed control, trials were conducted to determine if early-season cultivation perpendicular to row direction using a tine weeder improves weed control in the row. Irrigated field trials were conducted in Tifton, GA from 2011 to 2013 and evaluated combinations of perpendicular cultivation (cultivation perpendicular to row direction), parallel cultivation (cultivation in the same direction of the rows), and banded applications of herbicides derived from natural sources. Weed control results were inconsistent among species. Parallel cultivation with the tine weeder was generally more effective than parallel cultivation with sweeps, particularly for annual grasses such as southern crabgrass and Texas millet. Perpendicular cultivation improved overall weed control and peanut yield (two years of three), but this benefit did not improve weed control from parallel cultivation. Additionally, tractor tire tracks from perpendicular cultivation across the rows repeatedly mashed peanut seedlings and lessened the weed control benefits. Herbicides derived from natural products were inconsistent in controlling broadleaf weeds, ineffective in controlling annual grasses, and did not protect peanut yield from weed losses.

Technical Abstract: Intensive cultivation in organic peanut is partially effective, but in-row weed control remains problematic. In an attempt to improve in-row weed control, trials were conducted to determine the feasibility of early-season cultivation perpendicular to row direction using a tine weeder when integrated with other weed control practices. Irrigated field trials were conducted in Tifton, GA from 2011 to 2013 and evaluated combinations of perpendicular cultivation (cultivation perpendicular to row direction), parallel cultivation (cultivation in the same direction of the rows), and banded applications of herbicides derived from natural sources. Weed control results were inconsistent among species. Parallel cultivation with the tine weeder was generally more effective than parallel cultivation with sweeps, particularly for southern crabgrass and Texas millet. Perpendicular cultivation improved overall weed control and peanut yield (two years of three), but this benefit was independent of weed control from any form of parallel cultivation. Additionally, tractor tire tracks from perpendicular cultivation across the rows repeatedly mashed peanut seedlings and lessened the weed control benefits. Herbicides derived from natural products were inconsistent in controlling dicot weeds, ineffective in controlling annual grasses, and did not protect peanut yield from weed losses.