When peanut is grown under conservational tillage systems which leave residue on the surface, yields are lower than under conventional tillage. There is evidence that nutrition plays a roll in the lower yields. In this study, Virginia‐type peanuts were grown under conventional and conservational tillage to determine tillage influence on soil and leaf Ca levels and to evaluate yield response to extra gypsum. The Virginia‐type peanut cultivar NC 6 was grown under conventional till (CT) and conservational (NT) systems with three cultivation levels and two gypsum application levels applied to the NT system. Yields were lower in the NT system than in the CT system. Yields in the NT system did not respond to cultivation or gypsum rate. Seed and pod Ca increased with increased gypsum application as did soil Ca. Soil Ca increased with gypsum application. The lack of yield response to cultivation suggests that yield losses occur because of differences early in the growing season. Additional work is needed to overcome the peanut yield loss associated with tillage systems which leave residue on the soil surface.