Long-Term Effects of Three Tillage Systems on Peanut Grade, Yield, and Stem Rot Development1

Abstract

Abstract Field studies were conducted from 1987 to 1996 to evaluate the effects of long-term no-tillage, reduced-tillage, or full-tillage systems on peanut grade, yield, and stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) disease development. In 3 of 10 yr the full-tillage system outyielded the no-tillage system while the reduced tillage system resulted in yield increase over no-tillage systems in 2 yr. Reduced-tillage plots had a higher incidence of stem rot than full-or no-tillage in 4 of 10 yr. In 3 of 10 yr, peanut grade (% TSMK) was lower in no-tillage than full-tillage plots. The reduced tillage system has shown promise for use in Texas for peanut. However, no-tillage peanut systems have never produced yield and quality comparable to full-tillage systems.