Effects of Two Cropping and Two Tillage Systems and Pesticides on Peanut Pest Management1

Abstract

Abstract In one or more years of a 3-year study, white mold (Sclerotium rolfsii) and Rhizoctonia limb rot (Rhizoctonia solani) damaged peanuts less in a wheat-peanut than in the fallow-peanut cropping system, but velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis) damage was less in the fallow-peanut. Thrips (Frankliniella fusca) and Rhizoctonia limb rot damage was less in minimum tillage than in conventional tillage but root-knot nematode (Melodogyne arenaria) damage was less in conventional tillage. Aldicarb reduced root-knot and lesion nematode (Pratylenchus brachyurus), thrips, and potato leafhopper (Empoascafabae) damage, but increased numbers of three cornered alfalfa hoppers (Spissistilus festinus) and velvetbean caterpillar damage. Flutolanil reduced white mold and Rhizocotonia limb rot damage. There was a high negative correlation (P=0.0001) of number of white mold loci with yield (r=-0.70). Rhizoctonia limb rot, gall and lesion indices and number of lesion nematodes in the soil were also negatively correlated with yield, but at low levels. Cropping systems did not affect peanut yields; however, tillage systems and nematicide/insecticide and fungicide treatments had major effects. Mean yield in conventional-tillage plots were greater than in minimum-tillage plots for the control and each chemical treatment. Mean yields were 11.1%, 55.9%, and 77.3% greater than control of aldicarb, flutolanil, and aldicarb plus flutolanil treatments, respectively, across cropping systems, tillage systems, and years.