Influence of irrigation and cultivar on peanut growth and yield

Abstract Understanding the influence of cultural practices on peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) growth and development is important for enhancing production in North Carolina. Irrigation practices and cultivar selection can influence pest reaction, peanut pod yield, and market grade characteristics. Research was conducted from 2022 to 2024 with seven virginia market‐type cultivars (Bailey II, Emery, NC 20, NC 21, Sullivan, TifJumbo, and Walton) grown under rainfall alone or rainfall supplemented by subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI). Peanut plant condition, total number of flowers over the cropping cycle, number of days after emergence (DAEs) to peak flower, flowering duration, peanut pod yield, and market grade characteristics were determined based on cultivar and SSDI treatment. Irrigation increased the total number of flowers in 1 of 3 years and shortened the days to peak flowering in 1 of 3 years. Peanut yield was affected by the interaction between irrigation and cultivar, regardless of the year. Yield of Bailey II was greater when rainfall was supplemented with SSDI, while the yield of NC 21 decreased with SSDI. Generally, TifJumbo and Sullivan produced the greatest total number of flowers, while Bailey II and Emery required fewer DAEs to reach peak flower and produced fewer flowers. Results from this research demonstrate that the peanut response to SSDI is cultivar dependent.