Impact of Reduced Seeding Rates on Single-Row Peanut Production in a Sandy Loam Soil.

Extension recommendations for seeding rate of peanut in Georgia are approximately 20 seed m^-1 to target a plant population of around 13 plants m^-1.  However, the shift from smaller seed to larger seed sizes in newer peanut cultivars is increasing seed cost for peanut growers.  Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) typically increases with reduced plant stands, but new peanut cultivars have greater resistance to TSWV, which may withstand lower plant stands without yield losses.  This may allow reduced seeding rates and hence seed cost with newer cultivars.  A trial was established in Plains, GA in 2009, 2010, and 2011 to assess plant stand, growth characteristics (canopy height), and yield potential of Georgia Green (small seed size, TSWV susceptible) and Georgia-06G (large seed size, TSWV resistant) peanut planted at 6.6, 9.8, 12.5, and 16.7 seed m^-1 of row in single-row pattern.  Yield was usually maximized at the 16.7 seed m^-1 rate, however significantly equal yields were often maintained as low as 9.8 seed m^-1.  There was a sharp drop in yield when planted at the 6.6 seed m^-1 rate.  Plant height was typically lowest in the low seeding rates and tallest at the highest seeding rates.  This data shows that successful yields can be achieved at reduced seeding rates below the recommended seeding rate, albeit TSWV pressure was relatively low in all years of the test.