Differential Response of Peanuts to Apogee Peanut Notes No. 17 2023

— Written by David Jordan | February 17, 2023 (Updated: Feb. 17, 2023, 4:03 p.m.)

I've been presenting the following graph at several peanut meetings this winter. Yield response to Apogee varied considerably in large-plot trial with the same grower over two years. In 2021, results were similar to what we would expect. A positive response to Apogee. Applying Apogee twice increased yield compared with non-treated peanuts. Response to one spray was intermediate. Peanut growth was typical for Bailey II in 2021 and weather conditions were favorable for vine growth throughout the season. This is the scenario where we would expect to see a positive response to Apogee or Kudos.

In contrast, conditions in 2022 were dry. A single application did not decrease or increase yield. However, two applications of Apogee resulted in lower yields. This is atypical. Over the many trials with Apogee or Kudos (Apogee was called Baseline when it first came out) that we have conducted, we have observed a yield loss on just a few occasions. I'd say only a handful of times out of a few hundred trials. In the 2022 trial shown here, peanut growth was limited by dry weather after the first application and the grower waited and waited to make the second application. In late August, the second application was made. By that time, it was obvious that it was more than likely not needed. Many times, if we decide to put in a trial we will follow through with the treatments even if conditions are not favorable for the expected response. We do learn from that decision. This is likely the reason why yields decreased in 2022 with the second spray of Apogee applied to peanuts under a degree of drought stress late in the life cycle of the crop. I've also had a few trials where a third application late in the season had a negative impact on yield.

The take home message is that after the first spray (make sure 50% of vines from adjacent rows are touching and be on the late side rather than the early side), only make the second application if you begin having regrowth and the peanuts and weather conditions are favorable for additional vine growth. Under this scenario, peanut yield may not increase but it certainly should not decrease.