The Feasibility of Organic Methods of Weed Control in Organic Peanut Crop

Abstract

The organic fruit and vegetable industry is growing each year with a total of 136 organic certified farmers listed in the state of Georgia in 2018 according to Georgia Organics. Georgia Organics is a member-supported, non-profit organization connecting organic food from Georgia farms to Georgia consumers and was initially established in the 1970s. Growing organic peanuts is economically feasible to farmers and also a healthier alternative to conventional peanuts. In the US, more than 99% of peanut farms use conventional farming practices including the use of fungicide and pesticides, leaving only 1% of the peanuts grown to be regarded as ―organic‖. The USDA found different pesticides in peanut butter with the chemical piperonyl butoxide, a carcinogen, found 26.9 percent of the time in a recent study (Hauser 1982). Organic peanuts offer a healthier alternative for those concerned with the possibility of residual toxins in consumable peanut products.