Fall-Bedding for Reduced Digging Losses and Improved Yield in Strip-Till Peanut

Abstract

Abstract Most peanut (Arahcis hypogaea L.) production occurs under highly intensive conventional tillage systems. With recent volatility in input prices, reducing tillage trips is a viable way of reducing production costs. However, growers can experience yield loss when switching from conventional tillage to strip-tillage in peanut on certain soil types due to the lack of an elevated bed at harvest time. Studies were conducted to compare standard strip-till with strip-till on two-row raised beds as well as rip and beds prepared in the fall. Comparisons were made on a coarse textured soil at Tifton, GA and a fine textured soil at Plains, GA. The three bed types, with and without wheat cover, were evaluated over two years at both locations. No effects of cover or interactions with bed type were present. At Plains, the rip and bed and raised bed reduced digging losses by 62 and 47%, respectively. Soil compaction within the harvest depth was reduced by 3.3 and 4.7 times by the raised bed and rip and bed, respectively compared to flat strip-till. The rip and bed increased peanut yield by 465 kg ha−1 over flat bed. At Tifton, no significant differences in yield or digging losses occurred between tillage methods. Soil compaction in the harvest depth was reduced by 1.9 and 2.5 times by raised bed and rip and bed, respectively on this coarse soil type. Reduced compaction and digging losses along with increased yield suggest bedding is more important on finer textured soils.