SOIL TEST INFORMATION SHEET NO. C-140

Prepared by Extension Agronomist John Pyzner

Peanuts

1.	Peanuts respond less to direct applications of fertilizer than many other field crops.  However, peanuts respond well to residual soil fertility. For this reason, fertilizing other crops grown in rotation with peanuts, particularly the crop preceding peanuts is beneficial.  When peanuts follow a heavily fertilized crop, thy respond very little, if any, to a direct fertilizer application.

2.	Soil testing should be your guide to fertilization and liming for maximum yield and quality.

3.	On upland soils, 15 to 25 pounds of nitrogen per acre in the mixed fertilizer or applied alone would be beneficial for Spanish type (small) peanuts.

4.	The trend in peanut fertilization is to broadcast the fertilizer before rowing up when fertilizer is needed.

5.	Nuts fail to mature if there is not enough calcium in the pegging zone.  This results in low quality and poor yield.  Use 500 to 800 pounds of gypsum or basic slag per acre over the pegging zone when the plants are in the early blooming stage or about 6 to 8 weeks after planting.

The addition of gypsum is most important for the large seeded Virginia type but may still give some benefit at the 500 pound per acre rate for the smaller seeded Runner and Spanish types.

The peanut plant begins to supply its own nitrogen needs about 30 days from planting if the correct soil bacteria are present.  Nitrogen fixing bacteria may already be present in the soil as peanut inoculant. It is the same bacterial culture that inoculates beggar weed, peas, beans, and other crops and weeds found in Louisiana.

Sidedressing with nitrogen is not recommended unless a severe nitrogen deficiency symptom is noted in the field.
	
6.	Contact your county agent for additional information and help in your fertilization program.  The agent also receives a copy of this report for the parish office files.