Peanut Management Systems for Texas

Seed costs represent one of the highest expenditures for producers. It is well known that peanut plants have the ability to compensate lower plant populations, thus allowing for the potential to reduce seeding rates. Reduced seeding rates in south Texas are discouraged incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is higher in lower plant densities. The opportunity to reduce seeding rates in other parts of the state where TSWV does not pose a threat to production is possible. In all, four seeding rate trials were conducted in Central Texas, the High Plains and Rolling Plains. Trials (one of each market type) at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Halfway found that the different market-types responded similarly with regard to final plant population in that higher seeding rates led to higher stands; however, the percent of seed that actually emerged was typically lower for higher seeding rates (Table 19). Yields were unaffected by lowering the seeding rate, except when comparing higher seeding rates to a single seed per foot. Similar trends were observed between two Virginia-type cultivars in Wilbarger Co. (Table 20). Slight reductions in yield were observed with lower seeding rates at Knox Co. (Table 21 ), where irrigation capacity diminished towards the end of the study. Furthermore, this trial was planted into reduced tillage (strip-till wheat), which impacted stand establishment. Overall, grades were unaffected by lowering seeding rates, except for a few instances where the percentage of sound mature kernels plus sound splits (SMK+SS) were slightly lower when one seed per foot was planted (data not shown). These results are consistent with previous reports, indicating that substantial reductions in seeding rates can be made without jeopardizing yield or quality; however, additional observations of the different market-types under varying conditions may be required.