Growth and Development of the Florunner Peanut Cultivar as Influenced by Population, Planting Date and Water Availability1

Abstract

Abstract The influence of planting date, plant population, and row pattern on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growth and development was studied at two locations in Georgia. Twin rows were found to give faster canopy closure at high populations (212,000 plants ha-1) but not at low populations (26,500 plants ha-1). No yield differences due to row pattern were found. Increasing population increased competition for light which increased plant height and the percent of total dry matter partitioned to the stem. Population effect on yield was dependent on planting date and environmental conditions. When an optimum planting date (28 April 1983) was combined with adequate moisture (65 cm of water during season), increasing population from 30,000 to 240,000 plants ha-1 increased yield from 5290 to 6840 kg ha-1. A combination of an optimum planting date and moisture-limiting conditions (33 cm) resulted in a positive yield response of 20% as population was increased from 26,000 to 208,000 plants ha-1. Combining a late planting date (3 June 1983) with either adequate moisture (66 cm) or moisture-limiting conditions (35 cm) resulted in no yield response due to population. Late planting dates significantly reduced grade.