Optimizing Peanut Production and Pest Management Through Applied Research and Extension Activities

Approximately 60 trials were conducted during 2016 at the Peanut Belt Research Station, the Upper Coastal Plain Research Station, the Border Belt Tobacco Research Station, and at on­farm locations in Bertie, Washington, Martin, and Johnston counties to compare a range of production and pest management practices. Experiments included: peanut response to inoculants; evaluation of planting dates; comparison of thrips management programs; comparison of timing and sequence of applications of Apogee; peanut response to diflufenzapyr to eliminate flowering late in the season; peanut response to Quick-Sol and other commercial plant health products; weed management with non-registered preemergence and postemergence herbicides that are may be used in peanut; comparison of rotation schemes; and corn rootworm control with Prevathon. Results from these trials will be provided to Cooperative Extension Service agents, farmers and others in agribusiness. 
Eight objectives were proposed in the activities of this grant. A summary of results from 2016 is provided for each objective. While yield data for some of the trials are still being processed, key results from these experiments will be included in various chapters of 2017 Peanut Information and will be presented during county production meetings in February 2017 and at in-service Cooperative Extension Service agent training sessions. Results will also be included in articles written for V-C Peanut News and distributed in the form of Peanut Notes.