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| GROWER'S CORNER: FOR GROWERS, BY GROWERS |
Sustaining Cost-Effective Production in a Long-Term Peanut-Cotton Rotation Extended Funding Period Ending 2003
Crop Rotation
W.C. Johnson, III, Dallas L. Hartzog, and Barry J. Brecke |
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| The objectives of this project were: to develop a cost-effective peanut production system in a center-pivot irrigated peanut-cotton rotation that is based on the principles of integrated pest management, best crop management practices, and irrigation water stewardship; to develop systems of reduced pesticide use in peanut production in two tillages using expert systems, host plant resistance to pests, and modify cultural practices.
This project was conducted at sites in Georgia for four years, and Alabama and Florida for three years. Through 2002, perennial weeds became the predominant pests in continuous tillage systems in Georgia and Alabama. The perennial weeds of significance were yellow nutsedge and common bermudagrass.
In 20024 weed control measures were altered to effectively and economically control yellow nutsedge and common bermudagrass were effectively and economically controlled in the strip-tillage system. Mid-season weed counts in 2003 showed yellow nutsedge densities < 1plant/m in strip-tillage systems. Peanut yields were 10% greater in trip – tillage systems than in conventional-tillage systems in 2003. Spotted wilt was less in 2003, yet Georgia Green peanut had more posted wilt than C99R peanut. Also, conventional tillage peanut had more spotted wilt than strip-tillage peanut.
Georgia Green peanut was treated with fungicides that were applied at biweekly intervals for a total of eight applications per session. C99R had resistance to many diseases and was treated with the fungicides only four times per session. C99R peanut had less leafspot than Georgia Green, resulting in substantial savings in C99R production.
For complete study information contact Emily Avakian at eavakian@nationalpeanutboard.org.
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