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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #75161
Title: COMPARISONS OF PEANUT YIELD, QUALITY, AND NET RETURNS FROM IRRIGATED PRODUCTION

Author
item LAMB, MARSHALL - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Davidson, James
item CHILDRE, JESSE - FED-STATE INSPECTION SER.
item MARTIN, N. - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Peanut Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The amount of peanuts produced under irrigation in the Southeast United States has increased. The effects of irrigation in terms of peanut yield, quality, and net return were examined during the 1987 through 1994 crop years. Peanut yield was increased by an average of 569 kg/ha in irrigated fields. Peanut quality factors were also significantly increased. The net return to irrigation in peanuts depends on irrigation cost, selling price of peanuts, and the yield and quality response in the irrigated field. On the average, positive net returns resulted from irrigation in commercial peanut fields in the Southeast.

Technical Abstract: Peanut yield, quality, and net return to irrigation was analyzed from commercial peanut fields in the Southease United States over the 1987 through 1994 crop years. Yields in the irrigated peanut fields averaged 569 kg/ha higher than in non-irrigated fields. Farmer stock grade, jumbo shelling outurn, and seed germination means were also 140 parts per billion nlower in the oil stock category from the irrigated fields. Yearly comparisons were made to examine significant differences in irrigaiton associated peanut yield and quality changes in individual crop years as wel well as across year comparisons for non-irrigated and irrigated practices. The average amount of irrigaiton applied ranged from 2.51 to 28.22 cm/ha. The net return to irrigation was examined at the quota support price, weighted average farmer stock price, and contract additional price. Average net return over total irrigation cost were $239.99, $149.22, and -$22.64 per hectare, respectively. Increase quality of irrigated peanuts would improve storage and shelling efficiency of peanuts which would increase peaut value throughout the marketing system.