Impact of Diflufenzopyr-Sodium on Peanut Maturity, Yield, and Grade.

Peanut (Arachis hypognaea) is an indeterminate plant whereas the reproductive cycle (flowing, fruit initiation, and pod development) initiates around 35 days after planting and persists for growing season. With this in mind, harvesting peanut at the optimum time (in terms of yield and grade) can be tricky depending on environmental conditions. In an effort to manage the crop for optimum maturity, research trials have been initiated to examine impact of Diflufenzopyr-sodium (BASF) for reducing late season flowering and pod development in hopes to reduce the number of immature pods at harvest potentially increasing yield and grade. Research trials was conducted on the University of Georgia, Ponder (Tifton, GA) and Attapulgus (Attapulgus, GA) Farms in 2015. Diflufenzopyr-sodium (0.0225 lb ai/a ) was applied at 105 and 115 days after planting and compared to an untreated control on Georgia-06G and Georgia-12Y peanut varieties. Initial results indicated Diflufenzopyr-sodium negatively impacted flowering and pod formation as previously reported. Earlier applications (105 days after planting) of Diflufenzopyr-sodiumhad a greater impact on optimum maturity than the 115 Days after planting application.