Gypsum in Peanuts
Scott Monfort – UGA Peanut Agronomist
Questions regarding gypsum replacements. Example – a grower was recommended to use (Product X) at 1 gallons applied twice. This product does not supply enough calcium for peanut. You would only be getting 3-6 lbs per acre of calcium with 2 applications. This does not account for the loss of product sticking to the plant and not getting washed down to the soil.
This is the recommendation I could stand behind:
For fields below 750-800 lbs/A of calcium based on calcium pegging test:
Gypsum is worth the investment even at $50.00/A for 1000 lbs. You could reduce the amount applied to 750-800 lbs/A to save some money.
Lime is another way growers can get their calcium needed for the crop as long as they need a pH adjustment. They need to apply prior to planting.
The only other products I would recommend are the following:
For fields above 800 lbs/A:
Growers can use the following products: — Need to mention that the products below will help reduce the risk of ca deficiencies for peanut but will not help in building ca in the soil for the next crops.
- Top Flow at 10-15 gal/A applied at planting or early bloom and watered in immediately after. You will likely increase pH by ½ point.
- Calcium Chloride at 10 gals/ per acre injected through the pivot at 50-60 DAP
- Calcium Thiosulfate at 20 gal/A through the pivot at 50-60 DAP
Remember, Gypsum still the best option on Seed Peanuts.
Peanut Varieties Characteristics
Peanut Disease Risk (Peanut Rx)
Peanut Rx is a extremely valuable tool for peanut growers. If you’ve never used this it will make you aware of peanut disease factors. Are you “over spraying” for disease? This tool will help answer that and other peanut disease management questions. You can access this on-line interactive tool HERE. This is what it will look like below when you click the link:
Peanut Spray Schedules According to Disease Risk
