|
|
|
 |
Download this guide 24kb (Acrobat Reader required) Scientific Name: Arachis glabrata Benth. Origin: Tropical South America Distribution: Tropical and subtropical areas of the world, In Florida, commercial production could be anywhere in the state. History: The perennial peanut evolved under tropical conditions and is adapted to subtropical and warm temperate climates. In the northern hemisphere this would include locations below 32° latitude which have a long warm growing season. Importance: Perennial peanut is used as a forage legume in pasture and has been planted as cover crop in citrus. Several cultivars are available for use in citrus though information is lacking on production and development in south Florida. Climatic Perennial peanut grows best in full sun. Specific rainfall requirements have not been determined, however, it grows best in Florida when days are long, hot, and humid. Irrigation has proven beneficial during establishment in droughty springs. Soil Perennial peanut persists in a variety of well drained soil types and does well in the deep sands of Florida. Rocky areas and high clay soil should be avoided if the objective is to produce rhizomes for digging. In northern production regions, clay soils with excess moisture may freeze during prolonged periods with temperatures below 32°F. Rhizomes located in the zone of frozen soil will be killed. Due to the slow spread of rhizomes in clay soils, the selection of a well drained soil for planting is particularly important in northern production regions. Recent experience has demonstrated that perennial peanut grows well in reclaimed phosphatic, highly colloidal clay soil in South Central Florida. Fertilization Since perennial peanut is a legume with nitrogen-fixing capability, it does not require the application of nitrogen. Soil tests should be made prior to planting. Apply 30 pounds P2O5/acre when Mehlich-I soil test level is below 30 ppm P. Do not apply phosphorus fertilizer when the soil tests above 30 ppm P. Apply 60 pounds K2O/acre when Mehlich-I soil test level is below 20 ppm K, and zero potassium fertilizer when the soil tests above 20 ppm K. Apply 15 pounds magnesium per acre if Mehlich-I soil test is below 30 ppm Mg. Nutrition should not be a production-limiting factor on soils with Mehlich-I soil test levels near those suggested. Based on perennial peanut tissue analysis, 20-30 pounds of sulfate-form sulfur per acre should be applied annually when the planting is intensively hayed. Current observations indicate that perennial peanut performs well under a wide range of soil pH. Modify soil pH only if measured pH is outside the 5.0 to 7.5 range. Weed Control Post-plant weed problems are difficult to avoid, however, the problem can be reduced if the production site is carefully selected and prepared prior to planting. Recently-cleared woods usually offer a relatively weed-free setting during establishment, as well as naturally-accumulated fertility. Land which has been intensively row-cropped with a good weed control program offers fewer weed problems and may provide residual fertility. Low managed weedy areas or old pasture land may require preparation six months or more prior to planting to achieve proper weed control, fertility level, and a well-prepared seed bed. Both research data and many years of experience have shown that soils with known disease or nematode incidence do not negatively affect perennial peanut. Until otherwise determined there is no need for concern over these problems. If perennial broadleaf weeds or grasses persist, use of a herbicide, such as Roundup®, should be considered to eradicate this problem. Planting Material (Rhizomes) 1. Cultivars - Florigraze and Arbrook (described in Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Circular S-275 and S-332, respectively) are the two commercial cultivars currently available. Florigraze, released in 1978, has the greater acreage (approximately 4,600 acres in 1991) and is well adapted to most well drained-soils in Florida. Arbrook, released in 1986, is recommended for droughty, excessively-drained sandy soils with warm winter temperatures as occur in peninsular Florida. Planting stock of Florigraze is in good supply, while Arbrook, the more recent release is still limited in acreage. Emergence and survival of Arbrook following planting under dry soil conditions is considered superior to Florigraze. However, due to the difference in growth habit, lateral spread of Arbrook is slower than Florigraze. This tendency to spread slowly is made worse when extensive hay making or grazing is imposed prior to complete stand establishment. In general, Florigraze will withstand grazing better than Arbrook. The stem of Arbrook is larger in diameter than Florigraze and can require up to one extra day of drying under marginal drying conditions. 2. Source - Perennial peanut is propagated vegetatively using rhizomes (modified underground stems) which concentrate in a 11/2 to 3 inch thick mat just below the soil surface. Planting normally takes place during January/February. Location of rhizome sources, and planting equipment or contacts with individuals who plant should begin during the summer prior to winter planting. 3. Rhizome Harvesting - Rhizomes are removed from the soil mechanically with a sprig harvester and planted as individual rhizome pieces or as various sized sod pieces lifted with a sod lifter. Any method used should result in individual rhizome pieces at least 9 inches long with minimal damage from the digging process. Rhizomes should be planted as soon after digging as possible. Rhizomes cannot be stored for more than five days without deterioration, even under the best conditions. Rhizomes should be stored in a shady, cool location and covered with black plastic or a tarp to prevent drying while still providing aeration. Rhizomes being transported should be covered with a tarp to prevent drying. Planting 1. Time for Planting - The best time for planting in winter during January, February and March when peanut is in a quiescent growing state. Winter-planted material emerges during late March to early June which coincides with low rainfall over most of Florida. Normal spring rain are important for proper root and top development. Under conditions of low soil moisture, a percentage of shoots will die due to lack of supporting roots. The availability of irrigation during this initial development period provides insurance against plant loss or complete stand failure. Once a root system has developed, irrigation is not required. If a sufficient number of plants survive to leave at least one plant every 3 feet in any direction, complete coverage may result by the end of the second or third year. Winter is usually the best time to plant perennial peanut, however, planting may be successful anytime up to mid July. 2. Planting Rate - If rainfall is satisfactory, a winter planting can provide complete ground coverage in one to two years, using a planting rate of 80 bushels (100 ft3) of rhizomes per acre. If rhizomes can be obtained at a low cost, 100-120 bushels (125-150 ft3) of rhizomes planted/A. will ensure a satisfactory plant stand. A fewer number of Arbrook rhizomes are contained per bushel as compared to Florigraze. Additionally, Arbrook grows laterally at a slower rate than Florigraze. In order to achieve ground coverage using Arbrook that approximates that of Florigraze, 25% more rhizome material should be planted per acre. The addition of water, fertilizer, and weed control are all important inputs that can be employed to maximize plant population during the first growing season. 3. Planting Methods - Several systems can be used for planting rhizomes. Bermuda sprig planters are used most commonly. This planter opens furrows, places rhizomes in the furrows at a determined rate, closes furrows, and packs the soil. The fairway type sprig planter is a relatively recent addition to the list of planting methods. This form of planting replaces the opening of furrows with 2 gangs of closely spaced blunt-edged rolling disks that push rhizomes into the soil at a prescribed rate and planting depth. This system of planting achieves adequate plant distribution; however a percentage of rhizomes not completely embedded into the soil and will be lost due to drying. Planting can be achieved without equipment by hand placing individual rhizome pieces in furrows and covering, or by broadcasting and disk-harrowing rhizomes into the soil. Due to the inaccuracy of depth control when planting by the broadcast-disk method, planting rate should be increased 25%. Regardless of planting system, it is important to place the rhizomes no more than 11/2 to 2 inches deep. Planting should be followed by a packing-roller which leaves the field level, preserves soil moisture and achieves good rhizome soil contact. Distance between planted rows of sprigged material will vary with the equipment used, but 18 to 24 inches will result in a first season coverage if other factors are not limiting. As a general rule, coverage time will decrease as distance between rows decreases. Common with all legumes, perennial peanut obtains its nitrogen from Rhizobium species bacteria associated with the plant's root system. Because perennial peanut is propagated by rhizomes which carry the bacteria, it is not necessary to inoculate the rhizomes at planting under normal conditions. The expense of establishing perennial peanut varies widely from as little as $200 per acre to $500 per acre. Relative to other forage crops, perennial peanuts can be expensive to establish. Post-Plant Management 1. Sand Blast - Late winter and early spring winds cause significant sand blast damage to new emerging plants in open fields. Severe sand blasting can completely kill all top growth. 2. Irrigation - Lack of soil moisture is most critical from shoot initiation of the rhizome until a supporting root system develops. Under conditions of low soil moisture the application of water insures plant survival and growth. Soil-plant moisture status should be carefully monitored during the spring months following planting. 3. Weed Control - Weed control constitutes the major management practice during the first and possible the second growing season. Eliminating competitive weeds ensures greater survival during the dry months prior to summer rainfall and allows the plants to grow and spread more rapidly. Mowing- Keeping the perennial peanut canopy clear for maximum sunlight penetration is critical to proper development. Whenever possible, mow weeds just above the foliage of the developing peanut. For grassy weeds such as crabgrass, bermudagrass, and bahiagrass, Fusilade® and Poast® herbicides are cleared for use during establishment, but as presently labeled, forage should not be harvested in any form for up to one year following application. Basagran® is effective for control of yellow nutsedge as well as a few other selected broadleaved weeds. It is cleared for use on perennial peanut during establishment and forage should not be harvested in any form for up to one year following application. Herbicide recommendations in this report are contingent upon their continued registration by the Environmental Protection Agency. If a registration is cancelled, the herbicide will no longer be recommended. The use of product trade names does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the products named and does not signify approval to the exclusion of similar products. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
||
