Abstract
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) producers in the Virginia-Carolina production area have not adopted row spacings closer than the conventional 91.4 cm. Seeding rates at this row width must be adequate, but not excessive, to maximize net value. With the recent development of new cultivars with different growth habits, this study was conducted to determine the effect of intrarow seed spacing on morphological characteristics, yield, grade, gross value, and net value for five cultivars currently available to growers. The cultivars Florigiant, NC 6, NC 7, Virginia 81 Bunch (VA 81B), and NC 9 were seeded at intrarow spacings of 5.1, 7.6, 10.2, and 15.2 cm in a 3-year field study at the Tidewater Agricultural Experiment Station, Suffolk, Virginia, from 1984 to 1986. Plots consisted of two rows 3.0 m long with interrow spacing of 91.4 cm for all treatments. A split plot design with five replications was used. Generally, main stems were taller and cotyledonary lateral branches were longer with closer intrarow seed spacings. The number of pods/plant decreased and number of pods/m of row increased with closer intrarow spacings. Seed spacings had little effect on the grade characteristics of the five cultivars, except that NC 6 had the greatest percentages of sound mature kernels and total meat at the 10.2-cm spacing, while Florigiant had the greatest percentage of total meat at the 15.2-cm spacing. For the spacings studies, pod yield increased with closer intrarow seed spacings. All cultivars had significantly greater yields at the 5.1-cm spacing than the 15.2-cm spacing. Net value (gross value minus seed cost) was not significantly different among intrarow seed spacings for four of the five cultivars studied. The exception was VA 81B which had a significantly greater net value at 5.1- and 7.6-cm seed spacings than at wider spacings. This study showed that yields generally increase with closer intrarow seed spacing; however, net value may not increase.
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Keywords: Groundnut, seeding rate, market grade factors, net value
How to Cite:
Mozingo, R. & Steele, J., (1989) “Intrarow Seed Spacing Effects on Morphological Characteristics, Yield, Grade and Net Value of Five Peanut Cultivars¹”, Peanut Science 16(2), p.95-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.3146/i0095-3679-16-2-9