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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #229192
Title: Cultivation strategies for weed control in organic peanut production

Author
item Johnson, Wiley - Carroll
item SMITH, N - UNIV OF GA
item KEISER, D - UNIV OF GA
item BOUDREAU, M - HEBERT GREEN AGROECOLOGY

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2008
Publication Date: 2/23/2009
Citation: Johnson, W.C.; Smith, N.B; Keiser, D.A.; Boudreau, M.A. 2009. Cultivation strategies for weed control in organic peanut production. American Peanut Research and Education Society. 40:65

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Weed management in organic peanut production is difficult and costly. Previous research demonstrated limitations of propane flaming and OMRI-approved herbicides suitable use in organic production. Furthermore, related studies clearly showed the inability to manage weeds in reduced-tillage organic peanut. The only production input that consistently improved weed management in organic peanut production was cultivation. Studies were initiated in 2006 to refine systems of cultivation using a tine weeder. A tine weeder is a light-weight, high-speed cultivator that has multiple gangs and rows of adjustable-spring tines. Tines centered in row middles are set for aggressive cultivation, while tines centered over the drill are set for less-aggressive or no action, depending on stage of peanut growth. Research trials evaluated row patterns (wide rows and twin rows), frequency of cultivation (semi-weekly and weekly), and duration of cultivation (non-cultivated, 3-wk, 4-wk, and 5-wk). Results showed that peanut seeded in wide rows and cultivated weekly or semi-weekly for 5-wk were the most effective regimes evaluated. Even in plots with the most effective cultivation regimes, a ‘light’ handweeding was needed to control escapes. None of the cultivation regimes effectively controlled weeds when peanut were seeded in twin row patterns. Peanut seeded in wide rows had greater in-row peanut seedling density than peanut seeded in twin rows and this improved competition of peanut with weeds. It was noted that cultivation needed to be initiated before weed emergence, which coincided with peanut emergence (‘cracking’). Weeds already emerged were not consistently controlled with the tine weeder, regardless of the duration or frequency of cultivation. The most effective cultivation regime from these research trials was validated on a certified organic farm in 2007. Weeds were effectively controlled in the on-farm demonstration, with minimal use of handweeding. Trials in 2008 continued to study combinations of row patterns, cultivation regimes, and seeding rates for weed control in organic peanut. In addition, a brush-hoe cultivator using gangs of rotating stiff-bristle brushes, was evaluated for early season ‘cultivation’ in the peanut drill.