Effect of Age of Bahiagrass Sod on Succeeding Peanut Crops1

Abstract This study was designed to determine effects, unconfounded by seasons, of 0 to 5 year-old bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) sod on yield and quality of subsequent peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crops; and to provide information as to factors responsible for the observed beneficial effects. Essentially the experiment was a 6 × 4 × 2 factorial in a randomized complete block arrangement. Previously designated plots were seeded each year to bahiagrass while the remaining plots were maintained in a cultivated crop rotation of corn and peanuts. Duplicate soil samples, taken annually, were analyzed for major plant nutrients and for nematodes. After 5 to 7 years all the plots were planted to peanuts and corn for successive years. A total of 21 responses, associated with yield and quality of peanuts, nematode counts, and soil characteristics, were measured. Not all nematode responses were analyzed because of a high percentage of zero values. Twelve of the 15 responses were affected by the length of time ...