Question:

I have a grower who got slammed with around 15 inches of rain since planting in mid. May.  Now they are at R1 and are showing erratic nodulation.  There is not a clear, consistent row pattern…just the areas with sandy ridges, etc. show signs of N def. and very low numbers of nodules, and where the color is better, it is well-nodulated.

There is about 100 acres on this tract, and some of the fields have more than 50% that looks terrible, and some have closer to 20%.  The grower is new to peanuts, and has his own spreader truck.

I assume we need to go ahead and put 500 lbs. ammonium sulfate…let me know if this is not correct.  Also, should we split apply…maybe half now, and half in 2-3 weeks or would you go ahead and put the full rate?  He could handle it either way.

Jordan answer:

I would go ahead and apply all 500 pounds as soon as possible.  My experience on the split is the first batch greens them up and a decision is made to leave off the second application only to run short of N later in the season.  Also, the peanut vines get bigger and folks convince themselves that the second application would do more harm than good.  I think it is best to put the full amount out and not look back.