Disease Management in Overhead Sprinkler and Subsurface Drip Irrigation Systems for Peanut

Abstract

Experiments were conducted during 2001 and 2002 at one location in North Carolina to compare development of early leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola Hori), pod yield, and market grade characteristics when peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) was grown under overhead sprinkler irrigation (OSI) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and fungicides were not applied or applied biweekly or based on weather advisories. Incidence of early leaf spot was lower when peanut was grown under SDI compared with OSI when fungicides were not applied. Fewer fungicide applications were needed when applications were based on weather advisories rather than when applied biweekly. There was no difference in early leaf spot control or leaf defoliation resulting from disease when fungicides were applied regardless of irrigation system or fungicide application approach. Pod yield was higher in 2001 under SDI compared with OSI when fungicides were not applied; yield was similar in 2002. Disease severity was much higher in 2001 than in 2002 and most likely explains differences in pod yield between years. No difference in yield was noted when fungicides were applied, regardless of irrigation system. The percentage of extra large kernels (%ELK) was lower in 1 of 2 yr under SDI compared with OSI. There were no differences in percentages of fancy pods (%FP), sound splits (%SS), and other kernels (%OK) among irrigation systems and fungicide programs. In a separate experiment where fungicides were applied biweekly, pod yield, %FP, and %ELK were similar under SDI and OSI but greater than nonirrigated peanut. The %OK was lower when peanut was irrigated.