Monday, 6 October 2008: 3:00 PM George R. Brown Convention
Center, 371D The high demand for organic peanuts is currently
met exclusively by farmers in New Mexico and Texas. A team of
researchers and farmers in the Southeast, traditional home of
most U.S. peanut cultivation, has begun to overcome the
challenges of organic production there, with yields of >3000
lbs/a on small acreages in 2007. The main post-establishment
disease problems, early and late leaf spot and tomato spotted
wilt, have been overcome through resistance, planting date, and
thrip control. Insect pests generally can be controlled
adequately by managing water (making irrigation a necessity for
organic peanuts) and some organic sprays. The greatest
challenges have been twofold: (1) Stand establishment, currently
best approached through late planting under ideal temperature
and moisture conditions and high seeding rates (130 lbs/a), with
a supplemental planting if necessary; and (2) Weeds,
particularly grasses and in-row weeds, which are only t