Impact of Sprinkler Irrigation Amount and Rotation On Peanut Yield

Abstract

Abstract Irrigated hectares for crop production in Georgia increased from 70,875 ha in 1970 to 587,250 in 2000. The majority of the increase was planted in peanut, corn, and cotton. In 1970, these crops accounted for 40,500 of Georgia's irrigated hectares, and in 2000, these crops totaled 465,750 irrigated hectares. Simultaneously, demand for water resources due to urban expansion and interstate litigation coupled with repeated drought are collectively threatening irrigation water supplies in the southeast U.S. peanut producing regions. A study was conducted during the 2001 to 2003 crop years to quantify the impacts of reduced irrigation amounts and different crop rotation sequences including peanut, corn, and cotton. On average, irrigated peanut pod yield was significantly increased by 906 kg/ha as compared to nonirrigated peanut yield. The affect of crop rotation on peanut yield was also significant. One year out of peanuts, in either corn or cotton, increased irrigated peanut yield an average of 1072 kg/ha over continuous peanut. Two years out of peanuts, in either corn or cotton, increased irrigated peanut yield an average of 2333 kg/ha over continuous peanut. In nonirrigated peanuts, crop rotation sequence had less affect on pod yield than did precipitation during the growing season.