Impact of cultural control practices and fertilization on snail abundance and peanut yield

• Published in: Agricultural & environmental letters 2024-12, Vol.9 (2), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Calixto, E. S., Singh, H., Paula‐Moraes, Silvana V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Binomial distribution; Bulimulus bonariensis; Citrus fruits; Cotton; Crop yield; Crops; Cultivars; Cultural control; Fertilization; Food contamination; Gypsum; Legumes; Mollusks; Peanuts; Pests; Population studies; Populations; Shells; Snails; Tillage
• ISSN: 2471-9625; 2471-9625
• DOI: 10.1002/ael2.70004

The invasive land snail Bulimulus bonariensis has become a significant pest in the Southern United States. This pest poses a threat to various crops, including cotton, citrus, and peanut, leading to potential yield losses, irrigation issues, and food contamination. This study investigated the effects of tillage and calcium fertilization on snail populations in peanut. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four plot replications using the peanut cultivar Georgia 12Y. Treatments combined tillage methods with dolomitic lime or gypsum fertilization. The results showed that conventional tillage with the addition of dolomitic lime significantly reduced the number of snails compared to tillage plus gypsum, no‐tillage plus dolomitic lime, and no‐tillage plus gypsum. A slight increase in yield was noted in plots with tillage and gypsum application. These findings highlight the potential of tillage, especially when combined with dolomitic lime, as an effective strategy for managing B. bonariensis in peanut. Core Ideas The invasive snail, Bulimulus bonariensis, poses a significant economic threat to peanut crops in Southeastern United States. Tillage has been shown to significantly decrease adult snail population in peanut. Conventional tillage combined with dolomitic lime reduced snail populations compared to other treatments. Plain Language Summary This study investigated the effects of tillage and calcium fertilization on snail populations in peanut. The experiment was conducted in the West Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Jay, FL. The treatments under study were a combination of tillage and calcium fertilization: conventional tillage plus dolomitic lime application at planting, conventional tillage plus gypsum application during the crop season, no‐till plus dolomitic lime application at planting, and no‐till plus gypsum application during the crop season. The overall results indicated that tillage significantly reduced snail populations, with its effectiveness enhanced when combined with dolomitic lime application at planting. Additionally, a slight increase in peanut yield was observed in plots with tillage compared to those without. Tillage should follow soil conservation practices such as cover crop inclusion and be considered primarily in regions with historical snail infestations. Till and no‐till system impact on snail.