Strip tillage implements for single and twin row peanut

Authors: Balkcom, Kipling; TUBBS, R. SCOTT - University Of Georgia; BALKCOM, KRIS - Auburn University

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2018
Publication Date: 4/12/2018
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/6579861
Citation: Balkcom, K.S., Tubbs, R., Balkcom, K.B. 2018. Strip tillage implements for single and twin row peanut. Agronomy Journal. 110:1136-1146. https://doi:10.2134/agronj2017.09.0565.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2017.09.0565

Interpretive Summary: Conservation tillage with cover crops has continued to gain popularity with peanut growers because of concerns about soil degradation and rising production costs. An ARS scientist in Auburn AL, with scientists from Auburn University and University of Georgia, conducted a three year experiment at Headland, Alabama and Tifton, Georgia to evaluate single and twin row peanut production for three different strip tillage implements (KMC, Orthman, Unverferth) with and without a rye cover crop. Surface residue cover exceeded 60% at both locations in the rye treatment. Plant populations were greater across the fallow treatment and the twin row pattern at both locations. Twin rows increased yield compared to single rows and also improved peanut grades at both locations. Strip tillage implements had no effect on any peanut data with minimal differences observed among implements for soil penetration resistance. Although no strip tillage implement performed better than another based on peanut productivity, planting in twin rows using strip tillage with a cover crop is a productive system for peanut production across the Southeast.

Technical Abstract: Soil degradation and rising production costs have prompted grower interest in conservation tillage with cover crops for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The objective was to evaluate single and twin row peanut production across three different strip tillage implements (KMC, Orthman, Unverferth) with and without a rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop in Headland, AL and Tifton, GA during the 2012 to 2014 growing seasons. Surface residue cover following planting, plant populations, peanut yield, total sound mature kernels (TSMK), and soil penetration resistance for the cultivar ‘Georgia 06G’ were compared across cover crop treatments, tillage implements, and row patterns. Surface residue exceeded 60% at both locations in the rye treatment. Plant populations were greater across the fallow treatment and the twin row pattern at both locations. Twin rows increased yield compared to single rows in Headland (360 kg ha-1) and Tifton (>1000 kg ha-1) and also improved grade (TSMK) at both locations. Strip tillage implements had no effect on peanut plant parameters. At planting, soil penetration resistance, was greater with a cover crop only at Headland; while implements reduced soil penetration resistance in 2012 (Orthman) and 2014 (Unverferth). At harvest, soil penetration resistance differences were only observed in 2013. The KMC and Unverferth implements maintained less resistance compared to Orthman, while cover crop reduced resistance at Tifton. Peanut performance did not indicate any preference for one strip tillage manufacturer over the other; however, results support strip tillage with a cover crop and twin rows for peanut production across the Southeast.