ARS | Publication request: PERFORMANCE OF EXNUT IN SCHEDULING IRRIGATION FOR PEANUT PRODUCTION IN NORTH CAROLINA

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 15, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The GA version of EXNUT was modified for NC conditions and evaluated on 22- 28 peanut fields during crop years 1993, 1994, and 1995. An average yield of 3940 lbs/A was obtained for 22 fields during crop year 1993 that had an expected attainable yield of 4000 lbs/A. Yields for non-irrigated fields averaged 2082 lbs/A. Based upon the results of crop year 1993 the EXNUT program was modified to initiate the first irrigation at 45 days after planting which was a ñ 5 day difference than prescribed by the CY 1993 version. Modifications were also made to delay the second drying out period by 3 weeks. Average yield in 1994 for 22 fields was 4673 lbs/A as compared to 3142 lbs/A for non-irrigated fields. Prior to crop year 1995, soils were grouped into 3 classes (sandy, medium, heavy) instead of 2 classes (sandy, medium-heavy). During crop year 1995, yields on 28 fields averaged 4086 lbs/A as compared to 2432 lbs/A for non-irrigated fields. Cost of running the program was estimated at $3.71/A. Analysis of the data indicate that EXNUT can be improved by including 1-2 additional drying out periods to provide better control of cool wet weather pests such as sclerotinia, CBR and southern corn root worm. Cost benefits and risk assessments are also being introduced in the program. This 3 year study is good example of how technology contained in expert systems can be transferred and expedited through the close cooperation of research, extension and users.