Peanut response to single and sequential applications of prohexadione calcium

Excessive vine growth can reduce the ability to dig peanut pods and invert peanut vines in an efficient manner. Prohexadione calcium applied when 50% of vines from adjacent rows are touching can minimize vine growth, reduce pod loss, and in some cases increase peanut yield. Research is often conducted in relatively small plots (harvesting two rows with a 91‐inch spacing by 30‐ft length) or in larger plots (harvesting at least 0.05 acres) to determine efficacy of this plant growth regulator. When treatments were compared in small plots, yield in 15 experiments did not differ when one or two applications were made including a non‐treated control. However, in nine experiments with large plots, pod yield increased when one or two sprays of prohexadione calcium were made compared with non‐treated peanut. Results from these experiments indicate that measuring a response to prohexadione calcium may depend on plot size, with larger plots demonstrating positive benefits.