Influence of Row Spacing on Competitiveness and Yield of Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)

Abstract

Peanuts [Arachis hypogaea(L.) ‘Florunner’], infested with sicklepod (Cassia obtusifoliaL.) and Florida beggarweed [Desmodium tortuosum(Sw.) DC.] were grown in 20.3-, 40.6-, and 81.2-cm rows on Dothan sandy loam at Headland, Alabama, and on Greenville sandy clay loam at Plains, Georgia. In-row seeding rates were equal, regardless of row width. Peanuts were maintained free of sicklepod and Florida beggarweed for 0, 2, and 5 weeks after emergence or throughout the season. In either the absence or presence of weeds, peanut yields generally increased with decreasing row width. Quality of peanuts was not adversely affected; in fact, desirable attributes such as percent sound mature kernels (SMK's) were sometimes increased as the row width decreased. Weed growth with close rows was much less than with standard 81.2-cm rows. Although yields of peanuts were lower with increasing time of weed competition, the influence of row spacing on competitiveness of the peanut canopy remained relatively constant on both soil types. Generally, weeds from either seeded or natural stands produced equivalent competitive results.