Peanut response to tillage and fertilization

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the USA is generally seeded after several p rimary tillage operations that may include disking, chisel plowing, moldboa rd plowing, and bedding (conventional tillage systems). Concerns over erosi on and production costs have increased interest in reduced tillage systems. Production in reduced tillage systems minimizes ability to incorporate fer tilizers below the pegging zone, and residue on soil surface could impact m ovement of calcium sulfate (CaSO4) into the soil, reducing Ca availability to pegs. Research was conducted from 1997 through 1999 to compare peanut yi eld and gross economic value of virginia market type peanut planted in conv entional and strip tillage systems. Preplant fertilizer did not affect resp onse to tillage. Response did not differ among conventional tillage systems consisting of disk, disk and chisel, or disk and mold-board plow or among reduced tillage systems. Pod yield of peanut grown in the most effective co nventional tillage system exceeded yield when peanut was strip-tilled into stubble of the previous crop, strip-tilled into a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cover crop, or strip-tilled into beds prepared the previous fall withou t a cover crop. Tillage system and CaSO4 rate affected pod yield and gross value independently. Gross value increased when CaSO4 was applied regardles s of tillage system. These data suggest that preplant fertilizer at relativ ely low, remedial rates does not affect peanut response to tillage systems. These data also suggest that tillage system does not have a major impact o n peanut response to CaSO4. Collectively, these data indicate that the high est peanut yields occur in conventional tillage systems.