ARS | Publication request: Effects of deficit irrigation and temperature stress on peanut production

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 15, 2006
Publication Date: November 17, 2006
Citation: Payton, P.R., Tissue, D., Faircloth, W.H., Rowland, D. 2006. Effects of deficit irrigation and temperature stress on peanut production[abstract]. International Center for Arid & Semi-Arid Land Studies Conference. Lubbock, Texas. November 15-17, 2006.

Technical Abstract: Particularly in the Ogallala Region of Texas and New Mexico, efficient production relies upon the peanut crop’s ability to yield under decreased water availability and oftentimes critical heat stress. The dry climate (approximately 450 mm rainfall per annum) necessitates high expenditures on irrigation, and rapid depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer is already limiting crop production. It is estimated that at the current rate of agricultural and urban use of water, the High Plains Aquifer extending from South Dakota through West Texas could be depleted within 30 to 40 years. Based on our field results in West Texas, early season drought appeared to increase harvest maturity levels over other water deficit treatments, while maintaining yield. This indicates that early season drought may acclimate the crop to drought stress and possibly allow for decreased irrigation levels in an effort to conserve water. Given these results, we hypothesize that timing and duration of exposure to water-deficit and high temperatures, relative to plant developmental stage has a significant impact on peanut yield and quality. We will report our findings on the association physiological and morphological traits with yield, maturity, and flavor and the impact of deficit irrigation and heat stress on these traits.