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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #109463
Title: TILLAGE AND PEST MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS IN A PEANUT-COTTON ROTATION.

Author
item Johnson, Wiley - Carroll
item JOHNSON, ALVA - USDA ARS - RETIRED

Submitted to: Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/1999
Publication Date: 1/27/2000
Citation: Johnson, W.C., Johnson, A.W. 2000. Tillage and pest management considerations in a peanut-cotton rotation [abstract]. Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society. 53:34.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Studies were conducted from 1994 to 1998 in Tifton, GA on the effects of tillage on crop and pest management in a peanut-cotton rotation. Tillage systems evaluated were conventional-, reduced-, and no-tillage. Plots planted to peanut were further split into treated with flutolanil fungicide and nontreated. Neither peanut yields nor cotton yields were affected by tillage over the duration of the study. Similarly, incidence of Rhizoctonia limb rot and white mold in peanut were not affected by tillage, which is contrary to earlier theories of greater disease incidence in reduced- and no-tillage systems than in conventional-tillage systems. Flutolanil effectively controlled Rhizoctonia limb rot and white mold in peanut, and increased yield accordingly. Spotted wilt incidence was consistently greater in conventional tillage peanut than either reduced- or no-tillage peanut. Plant parasitic nematodes present in the trial were peanut root knot nematode and lesion nematode, and there was no tillage effect on nematode damage in both peanut and cotton. Weeds were successfully controlled in peanut and cotton across all tillage systems. However, weed densities and species diversity increased during the duration of the trial, necessitating more intensive weed control efforts. In summary, crop yields were sustained in continuous reduced- and no-tillage systems in a peanut-cotton rotation for five years, using flutolanil for soil-borne fungal disease control. However, crop production costs may increase over time in reduced- and no-tillage systems due to weed species shifts and need for more intensive herbicide use.