4 pp., 1 mapCultural practices such as crop rotation, maintaining plant nutrition, irrigation management and disease management are crucial for the successful production of Virginia peanuts. This publications describes these and other production considerations

Lee, Thomas A.

Lemon, Robert G.

English

Texas A&M University

Four market-types of peanuts are grown in the
United States—Runner, Spanish, Virginia and
Valencia. Each type has different end-use qualities
and manufacturer applications. Unlike other peanut
producing states, the soils, irrigation and climate in
Texas are conducive for the production of all four
market-types.
Virginias have the largest kernels and account for
most of the peanuts roasted and eaten in-shell.
Virginia peanuts are sold widely at sporting events
and are known as “ball park” peanuts. They are also
sold shelled as salted peanuts. These
peanuts are primarily produced for the in-
shell, export market. Traditional production
areas include Virginia and North Carolina,
but production in Texas has risen dramati-
cally in the past 10 years because of
increased contracting. In 1994,
Texas growers harvested 27,300
acres of Virginias in 21 counties,
producing an average yield of about
3,000 pounds per acre.
Site Selection
The South Plains and Rolling Plains of Texas have
the soils and irrigation necessary to produce high
quality Virginia peanuts. Light colored sands, loamy
sands and sandy loams with low clay content are
best. The large pods are more easily extracted from
loose, friable, sandy soils.   In higher clay content
soils, a large percentage of pods may be left in the
soil during the digging operation.Because they are
produced for an in-shell market, hulls must be
bright colored and free from stains and blemishes
that heavier soils might cause.
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is the key to profitable peanut produc-
tion, especially with Virginias. They should be
planted in the same field only 1 year out of 3 or, in
the best case, 1 year out of 4. The advantages of crop
rotation are numerous; primarily they include
improved soil fertility, reduced disease and nema-
tode problems and more manageable weed control
systems.
In west Texas, cotton is the best alternative crop for
a stable and profitable peanut rotation, although
corn, grain sorghum and small grains also are excel-
lent peanut rotation crops. The cotton/peanut pro-
duction system is the cornerstone for maintaining
future peanut production in the
region.  
Producers should avoid following
peanuts with peanuts, but where
this has occurred, another crop
always should be planted the
next year and peanuts should be
left out of the rotation for at least 3 to
4 more years.  Field research in the
Rolling Plains has shown that where
peanuts are planted continuously, yields
stabilize at about 2,500 pounds per acre;
diseases such as pod rots, southern blight and scle-
rotinia blight proliferate; and production costs
increase. With proper rotations and good in-season
management, yields of 4,000 pounds per acre or
more are attainable. In the absence of rotation,
peanuts will not be a viable crop for the region. 
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
Peanuts will not produce high yields when soil fer-
tility  is low, and they do not respond to direct fertil-
ization. A uniform, high fertility level must be
developed throughout the root zone. This is best
L-5140
Production of Virginia Peanuts in the
Rolling Plains and Southern High Plains of Texas
Robert G. Lemon and Thomas A. Lee*
*Extension Agronomist and Extension Plant Pathologist,
The Texas A&M University System.
Texas Agricultural Extension Service • Zerle L. Carpenter, Director • The Texas A&M  University System • College Station,Texas
accomplished by fertilizing previous crops.  If a soil
test indicates the need for fertilizer, it is best to
apply it before preparing the land. The primary
tillage operations will distribute the fertilizer
throughout the root zone.
Soil pH
In west Texas, low soil pH is seldom encountered;
therefore, the use of agricultural lime is rarely, if
ever, recommended. High pH soils (7.0 and above)
are normal for the region and can cause some nutri-
tional deficiencies in peanuts.  
Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium
One of the major benefits of producing peanuts, or
any legume, is that they require little  nitrogen fertil-
izer. Peanuts have the ability to enter into a symbi-
otic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria—the
Rhizobium obtains its nutrition from the plant and
the plant gains usable nitrogen from the bacteria.
This is known as the nitrogen fixation process.  With
proper seed inoculation, the peanut plant requires
little supplemental nitrogen fertilizer and direct
applications of large amounts of nitrogen are gener-
ally not recommended. Research in Gaines and
Haskell counties from 1990 to 1993 did not indicate
any yield or grade benefits from nitrogen fertiliza-
tion at rates up to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre.
However, the higher the soil pH becomes, the less
effective nitrogen fixation is.
For the most efficient use of phosphorus (phos-
phate) and potassium (potash) fertilizers, apply
them to the previous crop or before land prepara-
tion, and thoroughly incorporate them into the root
zone.  Always follow soil test recommendations to
avoid over- or under-fertilizing the crop. This is
especially important for potassium, because high
levels in the pegging zone have been found to inter-
fere with calcium uptake and to increase the inci-
dence of pod rotting organisms such as Pythium
and Rhizoctonia. If you have any questions about
soil testing, consult your county Extension agent-
agriculture. 
Calcium
In Virginia peanut production, calcium is by far the
most critical nutrient for achieving high yields and
grades. Low levels of calcium cause several serious
production problems, including unfilled pods
(pops), darkened plumules in the seed and poor
germination.  In fields low in calcium and high in
sodium, a condition called “pod rot” is common.
Supplying gypsum can help.
Calcium must be available for both vegetative and
pod development. Calcium moves upward in the
plant in the xylem conducting tissues. It does not
move downward in the phloem. Therefore, calcium
is not transported from leaves to pegs and to the
developing pods.  Pegs and pods absorb calcium
directly from the soil, so it must be readily available
in the pegging zone.  Foliar applied calcium treat-
ments DO NOT correct calcium deficiencies.  
On high pH soils, calcium fertilization is accom-
plished with agricultural gypsum (CaSO4). Calcium
contained in gypsum is relatively water soluble and
can be taken up by pegs and developing pods.
Experience in Texas indicates that a soil test level of
600 ppm calcium is adequate for Virginia peanut
production. If soil calcium levels are less than 600
ppm, or if irrigation water or soil is saline, gypsum
applications may be needed. 
Gypsum should not be applied during land prepa-
ration or before planting because it can be leached
below the pegging zone. Best results have been
obtained when gypsum is applied at initial flower-
ing (normally 30 to 40 days after emergence).
Banded applications over the row (12- to 16-inch
band) of 600 pounds of gypsum per acre, or broad-
cast applications of 1,500 pounds of gypsum per
acre, have proven to be adequate for Virginia pro-
duction. Rainfall or irrigation after application is
needed to move the gypsum into the pod develop-
ment zone (upper 2 to 3 inches of soil). 
Micronutrients
Micronutrients include zinc, iron, manganese, cop-
per, boron and molybdenum. Iron, zinc and copper
deficiencies have been observed in west Texas.
Iron
Iron chlorosis problems are most often observed on
high pH soils and in fields that have high calcium
carbonate levels. Symptoms will be seen on the
youngest leaflets, which become pale green and
develop an interveinal chlorosis. Iron chlorosis can
develop 1 to 2 weeks following emergence.
Generally, soil applications of iron fertilizer are inef-
fective and costly. Instead, foliar spray treatments of
iron sulfate or similar materials should be made
soon after emergence if symptoms are observed.
Applications may need to be repeated at 10-day
intervals if symptoms are severe.
Copper
Copper deficiencies have been observed in the
Rolling Plains, and are often mistaken for other
problems. Initial symptoms include wilting of upper
leaves, followed by chlorosis and leaf scorching.
Dead, brown tissue develops from the leaf margins
and progresses inward until the petiole drops.
Yields can be significantly reduced. Soil applications
of copper are the preferred method for managing
deficient fields. However, foliar spray treatments of
copper sulfate or similar copper-containing materi-
als applied at early-bloom correct problem fields.
Foliar fungicides containing copper also may correct
the problem.
Zinc
Zinc availability is reduced when soil pH is high.
Deficiency symptoms include interveinal chlorosis
of the youngest leaflets and, in severe situations,
stunted plants and slow development of new leaves.
Soil and foliar applications of zinc fertilizers should
correct problem fields; however, soil applications
are preferable.
Irrigation and Water Use    
Irrigation is the key to current and future peanut
production in west Texas. Irrigation ensures a stable
supply of high yielding, good quality, aflatoxin-free
peanuts. The total seasonal water requirement for
maximum peanut yields is approximately 20 to 28
inches. This will vary from year to year based upon
temperature, humidity and wind.  In semiarid west
Texas, high temperatures and low humidity coupled
with windy conditions contribute to high water con-
sumption.  
The growing season for peanuts can be divided into
three distinct phases—pre-bloom/bloom, peg-
ging/pod set and kernel fill/maturity.  Water use
varies along with these developmental stages.
Water use is low in the early season, high during the
reproductive period, and declines as pods begin to
mature.
Water stress during the bloom period can delay for-
mation of flowers or, under extreme conditions,
completely inhibit flowering. After bloom, peg pen-
etration into the soil requires adequate moisture.
Once active pegging and pod formation have
begun, the pegging zone should be kept moist with
additional water even if adequate moisture is pre-
sent in the soil profile. There are several reasons for
this. A moist pegging zone facilitates the uptake of
calcium by the pods. Failure of pegs to penetrate the
soil can result from low relative humidity and high
soil temperatures.  Both of these climatic conditions
are common to west Texas.  
In-Season Irrigation Management
Because of the shorter growing season and risk of
late-season freeze damage in west Texas, peanuts
should be planted in early-May in order to accumu-
late the heat units required for production of a
mature crop. Peanuts planted within this time-frame
need about 0.75 inch of water applied twice a week
during the bloom stage, especially between early-
July and late-August. This time period coincides
with peak bloom. Water applied before early-July
should be sufficient to fill or completely maintain
moisture in the soil profile.
If 0.75 inch of water is applied twice per week, this
will not supply as much water as the plant actually
uses. Consequently, stored water at the 2- to 3-foot
depth will be used by the plants. During August,
transpiration and evaporation will often range
between 0.25 and 0.35 inch per day, depending on
weather conditions. This amounts to 1.75 to 2.45
inches of water per week. Therefore, the two 0.75-
inch applications each week must be supplemented
by a full profile of water at the beginning of the sea-
son. 
Uniform moisture that can be maintained with two
irrigation applications per week helps to ensure
adequate soil moisture and high relative humidity
in the canopy.  The peanut plant flowers in response
to elevated humidity, and pod set is enhanced by
elevated humidity and moist surface soils.
Consequently, high humidity during the critical 45
to 90 days after emergence will promote early matu-
rity and increase yield. With early harvest, peanuts
also are less exposed to pod-rotting diseases.
After pods are set, usually by late August or possi-
bly even earlier, irrigation can be reduced to once
per week. It is important to deplete the soil profile
of moisture below the 1-foot level by late August to
be prepared for high rainfall that may occur in early
fall.  If deep moisture is not depleted, heavy rains
can waterlog the soil during the pod maturity
phase. This is when the plant is most susceptible to
pod rot organisms. 
Disease Management
Virginia peanuts are very susceptible to all the
foliage and soil-borne diseases that affect other
peanut types. Rotating peanuts with non-legume
crops is the best disease control technique growers
can use. The dry climate of west Texas usually pre-
vents severe foliage disease problems, but there can
be periods of high humidity even in this region.
When they occur, the use of an approved foliar
fungicide is advisable.
The most prevalent peanut disease in this area is
caused by a strain of the fungus Rhizoctonia. Now
that the fungicides Tilt® and Folicur® are labeled for
peanuts, this disease is much easier to control.
These fungicides also aid in the control of several
less important soil diseases. Fields that sometimes
receive excess moisture may develop a type of
Pythium pod rot that responds to the fungicide
Ridomil®.
Sclerotinia blight is a serious problem in certain
fields in the Rolling Plains. Adequate chemical con-
trol for this disease is not available. Crop rotation in
combination with good water management is the
best management approach.
Cotton root rot can be a problem in certain fields in
the Rolling Plains, and it does not respond to chemi-
cal control. Rotating peanuts with grass crops will
significantly reduce the problem. Cotton should not
be planted in infested fields.
Aflatoxin caused by the fungus Aspergillus flavus can
be a problem where peanuts are severely stressed
late in the season. Since all Virginia peanuts are pro-
duced under irrigation in west Texas, aflatoxin
should not be a significant concern unless there is a
breakdown in the irrigation system. Another factor
influencing aflatoxin contamination is physical
damage to pods. Damage from nematodes and pod-
feeding insects such as the southern corn rootworm,
and cracks caused by harvesting, make peanuts sus-
ceptible to Aspergillus flavus.
Virginia peanuts can be both enjoyable and prof-
itable to grow if given the special attention they
require.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended,
and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Zerle L. Carpenter, Director, Texas Agricultural
Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System.
2M–8-95, New AGR 8-3
L-5140.pdf
The information given herein is for educational purposes only.Reference to commercial products or trade names
is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas AgriLife
Extension Service is implied.
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, 
disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Produced by AgriLife Communications and Marketing, The Texas A&M University System
Extension publications can be found on the Web at: http://AgriLifeBookstore.org.
Visit Texas AgriLife Extension Service at http://AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu.


Production of Virginia Peanuts in the Rolling Plains and Southern High Plains of Texas

http://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/87733/pdf_656.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Production of Virginia Peanuts in the Rolling Plains and Southern High Plains of Texas

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Texas A&M University