For decades, peanut research has helped transform U.S. peanut production, with average yields increasing from about 2,600 pounds per acre in the 1990s to roughly 4,000 pounds—or two tons—per acre since 2012. Dr. Marshall Lamb, research leader at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Peanut Research Laboratory, says that progress is the result of collaboration among universities, Extension, private industry and farmers adopting new technologies and management practices.
Looking ahead, genetics could play an important role in the next jump in productivity. Researchers are tapping the U.S. peanut germplasm collection in Griffin, Georgia, to identify traits such as drought tolerance, disease resistance, nematode resistance and aflatoxin resistance. Promising drought-tolerant lines are already being evaluated and increased in the winter nursery in Puerto Rico, helping move improved genetics through breeding programs more quickly.
Research also continues to provide practical tools for growers. Irrigation studies show that soil-moisture sensors and Irrigator Pro can help farmers apply less water while maintaining or improving yields compared with traditional irrigation scheduling. In several studies, substantially less water produced comparable or higher yields, demonstrating the potential for improved water-use efficiency and profitability.
Planting date and crop rotation are other areas where research can help reduce risk and improve yields. Earlier planting of dryland peanuts can better align peak crop water demand with rainfall, while rotating peanuts with cotton and corn has produced significant yield increases compared with continuous peanuts.
Researchers are also looking beyond the field, studying peanut quality from harvest through storage, shelling and manufacturing. Overall, the research community remains optimistic that advances in genetics, crop protection, water management and production practices will help the peanut industry reach another significant yield plateau in the years ahead.