Description

Abstract: Research was conducted in North Carolina from 2001-2006 to determine disease and nematode development, yield, and estimated economic return in rotation systems including corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Specific rotations included three cycles of corn-peanut and cotton-peanut and two cycles of corncorn- peanut, cotton-corn-peanut, cotton-cotton-peanut, soybean-corn-peanut, and soybean-cotton-peanut. Additional rotations included corn-corn-corn-corn-corn-peanut and continuous peanut. In the final year of the experiment, the cultivars Gregory and NC 12C were planted either without or following fumigation with metam sodium 2 weeks before planting. Increasing the number of years between peanut plantings increased yield of peanut in the final year of the experiment when peanut was not fumigated. Fumigating with metam sodium or planting the cultivar NC 12C, a cultivar with resistance to Cylindrocladium black rot (caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum) (CBR), compensated for shorter rotations between peanut plantings. Although peanut yield was higher when rotation length was increased, the highest cumulative net returns over the duration of the experiment often were noted when peanut was included two or more times during the duration of the experiment compared with peanut planted only at the end of the experiment.