Abstract Peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) production contributes substantial organic matter and nutrients to subsequent rotations, but residue distribution by harvest equipment is often uneven. This study quantified peanut chaff distribution across 6‐row combines at multiple sites in the Missouri Delta during 2023 and 2024. Vine and leaf residues were sampled at the left, center, and right swath positions, then dried and analyzed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content. Leaf residue accumulated predominantly in the swath center (2350 lb ac −1 ) compared with the left (813 lb ac −1 ) and right (603 lb ac −1 ), resulting in greater nutrient deposition in central rows (N: 63 vs. 21–26 lb ac −1 ; P: 4.5 vs. 1.6–1.9 lb ac −1 ; K: 78 vs. 31–36 lb ac −1 ). Vine residue showed similar but less pronounced patterns. These findings demonstrate that peanut combines produce nonuniform residue and nutrient return at harvest. Although crop responses were not directly measured, spatial variability in residue may influence early growth and nutrient availability for rotational crops. Strategies such as equipment retrofits, postharvest redistribution, or cover crop integration could reduce intra‐field variability and optimize rotational benefits.
Calhoun et al. (Thu,) studied this question.