Conservation Tillage and Herbicide Management for Two Peanut Cultivars

Abstract

To reduce production costs and soil erosion and aid in management of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV), many peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) farmers in Florida are converting to conservation tillage systems. A split‐split plot experiment with six replications was conducted over 2 yr to evaluate pod yield and grass control from five tillage systems, two peanut cultivars (‘Georgia Green’ and ‘Andru 93’), and two postemergence herbicide programs (paraquat plus acifluorfen plus bentazon and imazapic). Peanut planted into rye (Secale cereale L.) with strip‐till management yielded (5280 to 5480 kg ha−1) similar to those in conventional tillage (5140 kg ha−1). Georgia Green (5500 kg ha−1) yielded higher than Andru 93 (5100 kg ha−1). Yields were greater for paraquat plus acifluorfen plus bentazon than for imazapic in 1999, but gross value was equivalent. Yields and gross value were higher for imazapic in 2000. Grass weeds included fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx.), Texas panicum (Panicum texanum L.), and large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.], which were controlled more effectively with imazapic both years (18% greater control in 1999 and 52% greater control in 2000). The difference in yields between herbicide treatments for the 2 yr is attributed to replanting and drastically lower levels of grass control in 2000. These results support the claim that reduced tillage systems, with proper cultivar and herbicide selection, provide advantages over conventional tillage systems.