2025 Peanut Field Day brings farmer together in Marianna
By Shelia Cloud Mader
Friday, June 6 was a big day for farmers from around the state as they gathered in Marianna for the annual Peanut Field Day that was held in partnership with the UF IFAS Panhandle AG extension team.
Perennial Peanut Producers Association President Tyler Putnal said, “I think the biggest challenges are always the cost of the inputs that we have to use. Fertilized chemicals, we’ve seen those go up this year. This is a very unique crop. So the people talking today are from the university, and we’re still learning a lot of new ways to grow this crop and what to do with this crop. So, with it being a newer crop, there’s always the challenge of not knowing what you’re doing, sometimes affecting you down the road.”
As perennial peanut growers gear up for the planting season, Dr. Lynn Sollenberger of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Agronomy Department is emphasizing a critical innovation that could boost success rates: rhizome carbohydrate analysis.
"Confirming rhizome quality through carbohydrate analysis is one of the best tools we have for predicting planting success, especially with varieties like Tito and Peace," said Sollenberger. He recommends using commercial laboratories such as DairyOne, which employ wet chemistry methods proven to yield consistent, accurate results comparable to university research labs.
For growers hoping to make the most of their planting efforts, Sollenberger offers specific guidance. Rhizomes should be sampled from at least three to five different spots in a field to create a representative composite. After thoroughly rinsing off any soil, samples should be bagged carefully, without overstuffing, and shipped quickly. "Avoid ground shipping at all costs,” Sollenberger warns, “as delays can lead to carbohydrate degradation and inaccurate results."
When submitting samples, producers should request both starch and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) analyses. Adding the two gives the total carbohydrate level—an essential metric. According to Sollenberger, rhizomes with total carbohydrate levels above 20-25% are more likely to lead to successful establishment in the field.
“Levels below this threshold increase the risk of poor establishment, especially if planting is done too early in spring,” he added. This timing corresponds with perennial peanut's first flush of new growth, when rhizomes are naturally depleted of stored carbohydrates.
Rhizome quality doesn't start at planting, it begins with how the crop was managed the previous season. “The number and timing of defoliations have a big impact,” said Sollenberger. He explained that late-season cutting or overgrazing can reduce carbohydrate reserves, setting the stage for weak rhizomes the following year.
Perennial peanut plants store energy in rhizomes to survive winter and initiate spring growth. Excessive stress during the growing season limits this storage, decreasing the plant's ability to rebound and establish well when replanted.
Finally, growers should match planting depth to field conditions. Sollenberger advises shallower planting, around three-quarters of an inch, when irrigation is available, while slightly deeper placement, up to two inches, may help conserve moisture in dryland systems. However, he cautions against planting too deep during periods of high soil temperatures, which can lead to rhizome damage.
“High temperatures can literally cook the rhizomes,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of timing and environmental awareness alongside carbohydrate analysis.
With commercial analysis tools now readily accessible, Sollenberger believes that more growers can make informed decisions rooted in science. “It’s about stacking the odds in your favor,” he said. “With proper analysis and good management, producers can dramatically increase their chances for a successful stand.”
For perennial peanut producers across Florida and beyond, these insights offer a timely and actionable path to stronger, more resilient crops.