Strip Tillage Implements for Single and Twin Row Peanut

Abstract

Core Ideas Grower interest in conservation tillage and cover crops remains high for peanut.Twin rows improved yields and peanut grade compared to single rows.Peanut performance did not vary across strip tillage implements.Twin rows with strip tillage and a cover crop is a productive option for peanut. Soil degradation and rising production costs have prompted grower interest in conservation tillage with cover crops for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Our objective was to evaluate single and twin row peanut production across three different strip tillage implements (KMC, Orthman, Unverferth) with and without a rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop in Headland, AL, and Tifton, GA, during 2012 to 2014. Surface residue cover following planting, plant populations, peanut yield, total sound mature kernels (TSMK), and soil penetration resistance (PR) for the cultivar Georgia 06G were compared across cover crop treatments, tillage implements, and row patterns. Surface residue exceeded 60% at both locations in the rye treatment. Plant populations were greater across the fallow treatment and the twin row pattern at both locations. Twin rows increased yield compared with single rows in Headland (360 kg ha−1) and Tifton (>1000 kg ha−1) and also improved grade (TSMK) at both locations. Strip tillage implements had no effect on peanut plant parameters. At planting, soil PR was greater with a cover crop only at Headland; whereas implements reduced soil PR in 2012 (Orthman) and 2014 (Unverferth). At harvest, soil PR differences were only observed in 2013. The KMC and Unverferth implements maintained less resistance compared with Orthman at Headland, whereas cover crop reduced PR at Tifton. Peanut performance did not differ in response to one strip tillage implement over the other; however, results show strip tillage with a cover crop and twin row management improves peanut production across the Southeast.