Single Row vs. Twin Row Digging Losses for Two Virginia Type Peanut Varieties

Abstract

Twin row peanut production was initially introduced to take advantage of production benefits noted in narrow, single row studies, while still accommodating typical machinery involved in peanut production. Studies on twin row peanut production have been conducted since at least the early 1980s and many report increased yields and reduced weed pressure when compared to single row studies. Because the conventional peanut harvest is a two stage process where the plants are first dug and then combined several days later, there are two opportunities for yield losses. This study compares the yield losses at digging for twin row and single row peanuts of two virginia type varieties, Bailey and Champs. Digging losses were quantified as "above ground" and "below ground" losses. Peanuts were planted and dug using RTK navigation to reduce operator induced errors. Mean above ground, below ground, and total digging losses were higher for twin row than for single row configurations across both varieties, but only statistically different for percent above ground losses and percent total digging losses in the Champs variety. Single row mean pod production was higher than that for twin row, but single row mean harvested yield was lower than that for twin row, although not statistically different. The results of this study were not statistically conclusive, but indicate that despite greater pod production and lower digging losses for single row than that for twin row peanuts. This suggests that combining losses for the single row peanuts in this study may be dominant in accounting for total harvest losses. Further study is needed to verify.