Diverse cropping systems offer many advantages to farmers. We evaluated root growth, soil water infiltration, and earthworm population densities in a conventional peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)/cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) rotation using conservation tillage (CT), and a peanut/cotton/bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Fluegge) farming system. The rotations were initiated in 2000 in Quincy, FL, and in 2001 in Headland, AL, in both cases on a Dothan sandy loam (fine, loamy siliceous, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults). In 2003, a year with more uniform rainfall, cotton in the sod‐based rotation had larger average crown root diameter per plant (22.6 vs. 16.3 mm), root area (87.2 vs. 57.4 cm2), root length (640 vs. 460 cm), and root biomass (18.59 vs. 10.45 g) as compared with cotton in the peanut/cotton rotation. Water infiltration rates were higher in both cotton and peanut after bahiagrass compared with the conventional peanut/cotton rotation in 2003. Earthworm population densities were greater in the sod rotation compared with the traditional peanut/cotton cropping system. Water infiltration was positively correlated to earthworm population densities. Despite the improvements in soil quality, cotton yield in the sod rotation was the same as the traditional cropping systems. Cotton developed excessive vegetative growth in the bahiagrass system at the expense of lint yield. Further research is needed to determine the N rate for the sod‐based rotation in comparison with the conventional cotton/peanut rotation.
Yields for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) have reached a plateau in the southeastern USA (SE). This, coupled with environmental concerns and increased production costs, prompt the need to find alternatives to the limited peanut/cotton rotation currently used. Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Fluegge) was introduced to the current peanut/cotton cropping system to evaluate its effect on peanut and cotton performance. Our objectives were to compare crop yields in a conventional rotation of cotton‐cotton‐peanut vs. a bahiagrass–bahiagrass–peanut–cotton rotation under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. Field studies were conducted in Quincy, FL, on a Dothan sandy loam (fine, loamy siliceous, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults) from 2000 to 2004. During 2–3 yr of the study, peanut yields were 900 kg ha−1 greater (averaged across irrigation treatments) following 2 yr of bahiagrass compared with following 2 yr of cotton under both irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. Root biomass was greater for cotton in the bahiagrass rotation compared with cotton in the conventional rotation. The greater root biomass, however, resulted in rank growth and cotton in the bahiagrass rotation yielded the same as cotton in the conventional rotation. It appears potential exists for greater cotton yield in the bahiagrass rotation once effective management practices have been identified.
Calcium is often limiting to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield, grade, and germination in the southeastern United States. The response of large‐seeded (Georgia‐06G) and small‐seeded (Georgia Green) runner peanuts to gypsum applications was evaluated in 14 tests in southern Alabama and Georgia. Experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications of gypsum applications as main treatments (0, 560, 1120, and 1680 kg ha−1) in soils with a range of soil Ca (178–498 mg kg−1) in both irrigated and non‐irrigated tests. Increases in yield, grade, seed Ca, and germination were significant with increased gypsum application for non‐irrigated tests when data were combined. In the non‐irrigated tests, yield increases ranged from 500 to 1000 kg ha−1 and grade indicated by sound mature kernels (SMK) increased 3.4 to 5%. Critical pegging zone soil Ca values of 150 and 250 mg kg−1 were evaluated and found appropriate for irrigated and non‐irrigated peanuts, respectively. Georgia‐06G had lower seed Ca concentrations and slightly lower germination than Georgia Green. More than 95% germination of Georgia‐06G and Georgia Green was observed when seed Ca concentrations were >600 mg kg−1. Analysis of Ca concentrations in nearly mature seeds pre‐harvest may provide an indication of seed germination quality as seed Ca concentration increased at approximately the same rate as seed size from immature white to mature black peanut maturity classes using the hull‐scrape method.
Increased production costs and potential benefits of maintaining surface residue has renewed interest in conservation tillage systems for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. We determined surface residue cover from rye (Secale cereale L.) or oat (Avena sativa L.) cover crops after two strip tillage systems (narrow vs. wide) and planting operations with different row configurations (single vs. twin). We also compared plant populations, yields, and total sound mature kernels for three peanut cultivars (‘ANorden’, ‘AP‐3’, and ‘Georgia‐02C’) across each treatment combination. Seven site‐years were examined across similar soil types in Alabama and northern Florida during the 2004 to 2006 growing seasons. The highest surface residue counts were for the narrow tillage system planted in single rows. Final plant stands were influenced by an interaction between cultivar and row configuration, with ‘ANorden’ planted in single rows below recommended rates. Peanut yields were affected by strip tillage system and row configuration, but differences among cultivars were also observed. Twin‐row peanut yields were 5% greater than single‐row peanut yields in the narrow strip tillage system but were similar across strip tillage systems. Cultivars ‘AP‐3’ and ‘Georgia‐02C’ yielded 20% higher than ‘ANorden’. Total sound mature kernels were only affected by peanut cultivar, with the cultivar ‘Georgia‐02C’ producing the highest‐quality peanut, followed by ‘ANorden’ and ‘AP‐3’. These results indicate that growers interested in using twin rows for peanut production can also take advantage of a narrow strip tillage system that maximizes surface residue coverage and subsequent benefits.
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