Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus: TSWV of Peanut: Factors
TSWV of Peanut
Row Patterns
Twin Row Patterns (left) and Single Row Pattern (Right) on Georgia Green Cultivar.
The planting of twin rows spaced 7-10 in. apart at the same seeding rate per acre as single rows has become increasingly popular in Georgia. The twin row patterns often result in earlier plant coverage of the ground and less competition from weeds. Research to compare single and twin row plantings of irrigated peanut has shown a tendency for higher yields and improved grades with the twin row pattern. In addition, reductions in spotted wilt incidence have averaged 25-30% in twin rows compared to the single row pattern. The reason for this reduction in spotted wilt incidence is not fully understood, but may involve visual interference with the ability of migrating thrips to recognize host plants.
Changing from single to twin rows requires considerable effort and expense. Twin rows require adjustments in cultural practices such as cultivation, and the digger-inverter at harvest. Furthermore, cultivars that lack a prominent main stem and produce excessive vine growth may be extremely difficult to manage and harvest when planted in a twin row pattern. While growers are not encouraged to change to twin row production just for suppression of spotted wilt, this planting pattern does provide some suppression of the disease.