Russell C. Nuti

Economic Returns of Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Peanut Based Cropping Systems

Proper crop rotation is essential to maintaining high peanut yield and quality. However, the economic considerations of sustainable cropping systems must incorporate commodity prices, production costs, and yield responses of the crops within the cropping system. Research was conducted at the USDA/ARS National Peanut Research Laboratorys Multi-crop Irrigation Research Farm in Shellman, Georgia to determine the average net returns of irrigated and non-irrigated cropping systems consisting of peanut (Arachis hypogea L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and corn (Zea mays L.). Five replicated cropping systems provided data on yield responses from irrigated and non-irrigated rotation sequences defined as: continuous peanuts (PPP), cotton/peanuts/cotton (CPC), corn/peanuts/corn (MPM), cotton/cotton/peanuts (CCP), and cotton/corn/peanuts (CMP). The peanut yield in the PPP rotation was 3300 kg/ha in the non-irrigated treatment. Non-irrigated yields in CPC and MPM rotation sequences were 3940 and 3890 kg/ha, respectively and yields in CCP and CMP rotation sequences were 4770 and 4710 kg/ha, respectively. The peanut yield in the PPP rotation was 4080 kg/ha in the irrigated treatment. Irrigated yields in CPC and MPM rotation sequences were 5280 and 5230 kg/ha, respectively and yields in CCP and CMP rotation sequences were 5940 and 6010 kg/ha, respectively. The economic returns of the cropping systems were analyzed for 3 different price level combinations. Production costs (variable and fixed) were obtained from partial budgets. Returns were defined as the 3 year average net returns of each cropping system and were calculated for each price level combination which resulted in 57 comparable average net returns for the irrigated and non-irrigated treatments. Net returns were influenced by rotation sequence, price, and irrigation.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivar response to prohexadione calcium

Peanut digging efficiency is often reduced due to excessive vine growth. The plant growth regulator prohexadione calcium retards vegetative growth and improves row visibility by inhibiting internode elongation resulting in improved digging efficiency and in some instances increases in pod yield. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of prohexadione calcium on row visibility and pod yield of newly released and commercially available cultivars AT VC-2, Brantley, CHAMPS, Georgia Green, Gregory, Perry, Phillips, NC-V 11, NC 12C, Tamspan 90, and VA 98R and the breeding lines N02006, N01013T, and VT 976133. Although differences in row visibility were noted among cultivars, prohexadione calcium improved row visibility in almost every experiment regardless of cultivar. The cultivars NC 12C and Perry were more responsive to prohexadione calcium in terms of pod yield than NC-V 11 or VA 98R. Response of these cultivars was independent of digging date. In other experiments, prohexadione calcium improved row visibility of the cultivars AT VC-2, Gregory, NC-V 11, Perry, VA 98R, and Wilson, but did not increase yield when compared with non-treated peanut. In a final experiment, prohexadione calcium improved row visibility of the Virginia market type cultivars Brantley, CHAMPS, Gregory, and Phillips and the experimental lines N02006, N01013T, and VT 976133. Row visibility for the experimental line N01013T was improved at 2 of 4 sites by prohexadione calcium. In a final experiment, prohexadione calcium increased row visibility of Georgia Green, Gregory, and Tamspan 90 but did not affect pod yield of these cultivars.

Impact of Sprinkler Irrigation Amount on Peanut Quality Parameters

Abstract Peanut quality parameters were analyzed across four irrigation levels during the 2002 through 2007 crop years. The peanut quality parameters consisted of total sound mature kernels and sound splits (farmer stock grade), shelling outturn by commercial edible size, accept and reject kernels by commercial edible size, seed germination, and aflatoxin. The four irrigation levels consisted of a full level (100%), two reduced levels (66% and 33%), and a non-irrigated control. The research was conducted at the USDA/ARS National Peanut Research Laboratorys Multi-crop Irrigation Research Farm in Shellman, Georgia. By year, significant differences in the irrigation treatments depended upon precipitation distribution for the specific quality parameters. For the average over the six years in the study, farmer stock grade was not significantly different in the 100, 66, and 33% treatments while all were significantly higher than the non-irrigated control. Total shelling outturn and total edible outturn were hi...

Disease Management and Variable Planting Patterns in Peanut

Abstract Peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) is typically sown in single or twin rows centered on 91-cm beds. A planter capable of sowing 8 peanut rows on a 182-cm bed was developed by USDA-ARS. This plant...

Rodent Management for Surface Drip Irrigation Tubing in Corn, Cotton, and Peanut

Surface drip (SD) irrigation of field crops has been gaining interest in the farming community. However, rodent damage is one of the major drawbacks for SD acceptance. This research documents the cost of repairing drip tubing and effectiveness of several rodent control methods. Four sites were used to identify cost of repairing tubing. Treatments included untreated drip tubing, tubing that was lightly buried, sprayed with an insecticide or animal repellent, and edible rodenticide placed next to the tubing. Once a leak was found, it took an average of 4 minutes to repair the hole. Each repair had an average cost of

Stem and Root Carbohydrate Dynamics in Modern vs. Obsolete Cotton Cultivars

0.67 for labor and repair materials. This repair cost does not include time or transportation cost to find the leak. Rodent damage was the same in the untreated versus any chemical treatment tested. At Site 4, the animal repellent, RopelH, did have less rodent damage (2392 holes/ha) compared with the untreated (6049 holes/ha) however, the damage was extensive enough that it was more economical to replace than to repair the tubing. There was less rodent damage to the thin-walled tubing compared with the thickerwalled tubing. Drip tubing that was slightly buried had the best rodent control (5 holes/ha) compared with all other treatments (1771 holes/ha). One disadvantage of burying the drip tubing is removal. Strip tillage along with burying the drip tubing showed excellent resistance to rodent damage and appears to be a cost effective management tool for SD.

Influence of Application Variables on Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Response to Prohexadione Calcium

Abstract Starch reserves in the lower stem and root are important sources of photoassimilates for completion of reproductive development in cotton. The objective of this research was to determine if carbohydrate levels in the lower stem and roots have been altered because of more than 100 years of breeding efforts. In 2001 and 2002, 33 cultivars released from 1900 to 2000 were evaluated. In addition, two elite lines were included in 2002. Plants were sampled at first bloom and cutout. Tissues were analyzed for starch content and concentration by using a colorimetric technique. Analysis of variance by year revealed cultivar differences for starch concentration at both sample times, but starch content was only significant at first bloom in 2002. These differences, though, did not show a strong relationship with release date, indicating that a century of breeding efforts had not altered stem and root starch dynamics. Orthogonal contrast did reveal differences in starch content and concentration between obsolete, modern, and elite lines. However, these differences were not consistent across experimental years. At first bloom in 2001, modern cultivars had lower root and stem starch concentrations, 69.8 and 63.6 mg g−1, compared to 94.5 and 84.8 mg g−1 for the obsolete lines. Modern cultivars also had lower root starch content, 537.5 mg, compared to 784.4 mg for the obsolete lines. At cutout in 2001, modern cultivars had lower root and stem starch concentrations, 20.6 and 20.9 mg g−1, compared 39.7 and 32.4 mg g−1 for the obsolete lines. Modern cultivars also had lower stem starch content, 349.0 mg, compared to 518.4 mg for the obsolete lines. These same trends were not seen in 2002. In 2002, modern cultivars did not differ from obsolete cultivars for all parameters. Elite lines, though, had higher stem starch concentrations at cutout, 56.9 mg g−1 compared to 39.5 and 46.6 mg g−1 for the obsolete and modern lines, respectively. Elite lines also had higher stem starch contents at cutout, 318.6 mg compared to 181.7 and 195.7 mg for the obsolete and modern lines, respectively. This higher stem starch concentration and content for elite lines may indicate higher photosynthetic rates. Environmental conditions seem to affect starch dynamics more than genetics when one considers the high significance of year on most data in this study.

Effect of Bulk Handling on Runner Peanut Seed Quality

Prohexadione calcium retards peanut vegetative vine growth, improves row visibility, and potentially reduces pod shed, thus increasing pod yield compared with non-treated peanut. Although prohexadione calcium has been registered for use in peanut for the past decade, practitioners continue to express a range of questions about use including banded application, compatibility with other agrichemcials, and interactions of application rate and timing. In experiments over multiple years, applying prohexadione calcium to lateral branches only of peanut increased row visibility compared with banded applications over main stems or broadcast applications over the entire peanut canopy. Similarly, when using different spray nozzle configurations, greater row visibility was noted when the highest rate of prohexadione calcium was applied over lateral branches compared with broadcast applications of a uniform rate across all spray nozzles or when the highest rate was delivered to main stems. Delaying the first of two sequential applications of prohexadione calcium 1 wk after 50% row closure resulted in reduced row visibility regardless of application rate when compared with sequential applications initiated at 50% row closure. Applying prohexadione calcium within 2 to 3 wks prior to digging and vine inversion resulted in minor increases in improved row visibility and did not affect pod yield. Efficacy of prohexadione calcium was not affected by tank mixing with pyraclostrobin or 2,4-DB.

Peanut, Cotton, and Corn Yield and Partial Net Income with Two Surface Drip Lateral Spacings

Tests were conducted to measure the effect of using bulk seed tenders to load peanut seed into planters. Treated seed were transferred using one of two bulk seed tenders, a pneumatic seed tender and a belt seed tender, and their quality compared to conventional bagged seed (control). Information recorded from each transfer of peanut included the mass of seed in each container and the time required to fill the container. Samples obtained during seed transfer were evaluated for mechanical damage and germination. Seed from both bulk tenders and control treatments were planted and field emergence evaluated periodically until 30 days after planting (DAP). Bulk handling increased mechanical damage when compared to the bagged seed. The pneumatic seed tender had the most damaged seed at 2.5%, compared to 1.1% damage by the belt seed tender. The amount of damaged seed was only 0.5% when bagged. Peanut seed loaded by the belt system had an average germination rate of 89% while germination of bagged and pneumatic treatments was 95 and 96%, respectively. Significant differences in emergence due to the seed handling treatment occurred throughout the first 30 DAP. Eleven DAP, field emergence of the bagged and belt conveyer seed was similar at 45% and 47% respectively, but fewer seeds from the pneumatic treatment had emerged (31%). Thirty DAP, field emergence in bagged (76% ) and the belt (75%) treatments were similar, and greater than the 69% that emerged in the pneumatically handled seed. Economic feasibility of investing in a bulk handling system for peanuts depends on several factors including investment cost, operating cost, and cost of tote bags versus labor and paper bag cost used in traditional seed handling. Farmers must have at least 324 ha for savings in labor and time to offset the capital cost of the bulk handling system.

Agronomic and economic response to furrow diking tillage in irrigated and non-irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Surface drip irrigation laterals were spaced next to crop rows (0.91 m) and in alternate row middles (1.83 m) to document crop yield and partial net economic returns compared with non-irrigated peanut (Arachis hypogaea), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), and corn (Zea mays). A drip irrigation system was installed at two sites, for three years (2002 to 2004) in a randomized block design. Surface drip irrigated peanut had greater yield (4900 kg/ha), market grade (74%), and gross revenue (