Performance of Peanut and Cotton in a Bahiagrass Cropping System

Yields for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) have reached a plateau in the southeastern USA (SE). This, coupled with environmental concerns and increased production costs, prompt the need to find alternatives to the limited peanut/cotton rotation currently used. Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Fluegge) was introduced to the current peanut/cotton cropping system to evaluate its effect on peanut and cotton performance. Our objectives were to compare crop yields in a conventional rotation of cotton-cotton-peanut vs. a bahiagrass-bahiagrass-peanut-cotton rotation under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. Field studies were conducted in Quincy, FL, on a Dothan sandy loam (fine, loamy siliceous, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults) from 2000 to 2004. During 2-3 yr of the study, peanut yields were 900 kg ha -1 greater (averaged across irrigation treatments) following 2 yr of bahiagrass compared with following 2 yr of cotton under both irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. Root biomass was greater for cotton in the bahiagrass rotation compared with cotton in the conventional rotation. The greater root biomass, however, resulted in rank growth and cotton in the bahiagrass rotation yielded the same as cotton in the conventional rotation. It appears potential exists for greater cotton yield in the bahiagrass rotation once effective management practices have been identified.