Establishing rhizoma peanut–bahiagrass mixtures

Abstract

Abstract Rhizoma peanut (RP; Arachis glabrata Benth.) is a perennial legume with ability to persist and spread in mixtures with C4 grasses. Most RP establishment studies focus on its use as a monoculture hay crop, and more information is needed on establishment strategies for RP–grass mixtures. The objectives of this study were to compare techniques for establishing RP–grass mixtures and quantify their effects on RP shoot emergence, frequency of occurrence (percentage of quadrats containing RP shoots), percentage ground cover, and RP shoot and root‐rhizome biomass. Treatments were (a) RP planted in monoculture (MRP; control), (b) RP planted simultaneously with bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge; RP‐BG), or (c) RP strip planted into existing bahiagrass pasture following removal of bahiagrass sod strips (Strip). There was no treatment or sampling date effect on RP shoot density (29.5 shoots m–2) during 10 wk after spring planting. By October, RP ground cover was greater for Strip (43%) than MRP (32%) and for MRP than RP‐BG (18%), and Strip and MRP had greater RP frequency than RP‐BG (82, 72, and 58%, respectively). Strip and MRP (1.39 and 1.10 Mg ha–1, respectively) had greater year‐of‐planting RP shoot mass than RP‐BG (0.52 Mg ha–1), but root‐rhizome biomass was not affected by treatment. Measures of establishment success for Strip generally were equal or superior to MRP, and Strip is a viable option for establishing RP–grass mixtures. Weed competition reduced RP establishment success in RP‐BG relative to the other treatments because herbicides tolerated by both bahiagrass seedlings and emerging RP shoots are unavailable.