Evaluation of New Irrigation Scheduling Methods for Peanut.

Five irrigation scheduling treatments along with a rain fed treatment were tested in 2014 and 2016, and seven irrigation scheduling treatments in 2015 along with a rain fed treatment at the Stripling Irrigation Research Park near Camilla, GA to determine the best option for producers. The seven methods tested were a UGA developed soil moisture system which consisted of three Watermark® sensors, called the UGA Smart Sensor Array (SSA), a SmartCrop© canopy temperature sensor utilizing a Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI), the UGA EasyPan, the UGA Peanut Checkbook Method, 50% of the UGA Peanut Checkbook Method, USDA-ARS IrrigatorPro and PeanutFARM. The UGA SSA had three Watermark® sensors at depths of four, eight, and sixteen inches, with an irrigation trigger threshold, which consisted of a weighted average from the three sensors set at 40-45 KPa. Meaning that each time the weighted average approached 45 KPa an irrigation event was triggered. The SmartCrop© canopy temperature sensors utilized a CWSI developed from 2014 data. The UGA EasyPan is a galvanized evaporation pan that is set in the field with the crop to simulate crop evapotranspiration. The UGA Peanut Checkbook Method is a historically developed water use curve for peanuts. USDA-ARS IrrigatorPro is a model that uses Watermark® sensors to determine irrigation triggers. Lastly, PeanutFARM is a scheduling tool that uses local weather station data, soil texture, and adjusted Growing Degree Days (aGDD) to estimate peanut maturity and water requirements. Four cultivars commonly planted in the region were selected and planted in two row plots within each irrigation treatment zone. The four cultivars were GA-06G, GA-12Y, TUFRunner 511, and TUFRunner 727. The data show that the utilization of any type of irrigation scheduling method helps potentially increase yield and reduce the amount of irrigation applied to the crop in either year tested.