Comparison of Management Strategies Associated with Runner, Spanish, and Virginia Market Types Grown

Virginia market type peanuts are generally grown in the Virginia-Carolina Region of the United States. However, interest in runner market type production in the region has increased. Additionally, approximately 800 acres of Spanish market type cultivar Tamspan 90 was planted in North Carolina during 2005. Research was conducted during 2005 to compare response of the Virginia market type cultivar Gregory, the runner market type cultivar Georgia Green, and the Spanish market type cultivar Tamspan 90 to various production and pest management inputs. Experiments were conducted to compare response of these market types to chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) to control southern corn rootworm, aldicarb (Temik) and acephate (Orthene) to control tobacco thrips, herbicide and fungicide programs, gypsum, planting pattern, prohexadione calcium (Apogee), and planting and digging date. In some but not all experiments yield was higher for Georgia Green and Gregory. Although less canopy defoliation was noted for the Spanish market type, most likely because of earlier maturity and ability to dig Tamspan 90 earlier in the season than the other cultivars, Gregory was the higher yielding cultivar. Response to weed and tobacco thrips management was similar among market types. Although some differences in canopy response was noted among market types, prohexadione calcium did not affect yield of Georgia Green, Gregory, or Tamspan 90. Yield of Gregory and Georgia Green was slightly higher than yield of Tamspan 90 when peanut was planted in early May. However, few differences were noted among market types when planting was delayed until late May or early June. Digging peanut in mid September favored Tampsan 90 compared with Georgia Green and Gregory when peanut was planted in early May. Pod yield was not increased by gypsum regardless of market type in these experiments. Pod samples are currently being processed to determine if differences in pod scarring from southern corn rootworm occurred when comparing market types. Additionally, market grades are currently being processed to further determine response of these market types to various production and pest management practices.