Question:

I am going through soil samples for fields where we are planning on having peanuts.  A few samples in different fields that have zinc index levels around 450 with a pH around 5.6.  These samples only represent about 2.5 ac of the field (1 zone out of 9).  These fields have had a little history of using poultry litter.  What are your thoughts on using these fields?  These fields have a pivot irrigation system so we are looking to maximize the yield on the fields.

Jordan:

I would not plant in that field. Too risky. If you can isolate the 2.5 acres with another crop the balance in peanut you should be okay. But what is the value in the balance of the field.

Jordan:

Looks like you have 12 out of 32 samples that are above 250. I wasn't able to really tell what percentage of the field is represented by those samples, but with a pH of 5.6 (if that is an average, then there has to be areas that are considerably lower than 5.6 for that to be the average,) I think much of the field (or group of fields) is at high risk. Irrigation is good to have but I think peanuts will not do well in this field. Zinc is highly available at low pH.

I’m not sure the lime that has been applied will get pH high enough to minimize risk adequately for 2023.