Description

Abstract: Reduced tillage peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production continues to gain interest in North Carolina. Fifty-four experiments were conducted from 1997 through 2009 to compare peanut yield in conventional tillage systems to yield of peanut strip tilled into stubble from the previous crop, into small grain residue, or in sod-based systems including tall fescue. When pooled over all experiments, pod yield in conventional tillage was 131 lb/acre or 3.8% higher than when peanut was strip tilled. Yield varied by less than 5% in 37% of the experiments, and in these experiments yield of conventional tillage exceeded that of strip tillage in 55% of experiments. When yield differed by 5 to 10%, yield in strip tillage exceeded that of conventional tillage in 55% of experiments. Yield differences of 10 to 15% were higher in strip tillage in 55% of experiments. However, when yield differences exceeded 15%, yield always favored conventional tillage. Major differences in yield (exceeding 15%) were Generally noted on finer-textured soils often considered less conducive to peanut production. These data indicate that strip tillage is increasingly a viable option for peanut growers in North Carolina.