Managing Global Resources for a Secure Future

Limited data exits on land preparation methods and irrigation strategies for peanut [Arachis hypogea (L.)] in furrow irrigated environments. The objective of this study was to identify land preparation methods and irrigation strategies that optimize peanut yield, canopy closure, quality, water use efficiency and net return above tillage and irrigation costs in a furrow irrigated environment. Field research was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS in 2015 and 2016. The experiment was designed as a three (irrigation strategy; every furrow irrigated, every-other furrow irrigated, non-irrigated) by two (land preparation methods; flat and bedded) factorial. Plots were in a split-plot arrangement within a randomized complete block design with land preparation as the main plot effect and irrigation strategy as the sub-plot effect. Experimental units were replicated eight times. Seed was planted on either formed beds or flat ground, while water was delivered down every furrow or every-other furrow via lay-flat poly tubing. Land preparation had no effect on yield (p=0.8701), but canopy closure occurred 24% faster on raised beds (p=0.0269). No differences in yield (p=0.3140) were detected among irrigation strategies during a generally wet 2016 season. In 2015, a dry season, irrigation improved yield by 51% (p=0.0028) compared to the non-irrigated. Quality was not impacted by land preparation (p=0.1098) or irrigation strategy (p=0.4730). Pooled over land preparation, irrigating every-other furrow improved water use efficiency by 84% (p=0.0078). Net return above tillage and irrigation cost did not differ between land preparation methods (p=0.2666), in either year. Conversely, in 2015, net return above irrigation cost was 43% higher when water was applied every-other furrow relative to every furrow (p=0.0006). Our results indicate that in a furrow irrigated environment peanut should be planted on a raised bed and irrigated every-other furrow to maximize yield, canopy closure, water use efficiency and net return above tillage and irrigation costs.