|
Your Disease Management Program
Dealing with diseases is a fact of life in peanut production.
The goal of a disease management program is prevention. Therefore,
decisions concerning control measures should be reached before
a single seed is planted and implemented throughout the entire
crop year. Waiting until the disease is readily noticeable invites
an epidemic and complete crop disaster.
In evaluating a disease management program, consider the following:
• Crop rotation. Long rotations reduce soil-borne diseases
and leaf spot. A rotation away from peanuts for at least three
years is good, four years is even better.
• Correct identification. Learn to identify and distinguish
one disease from another. Know what diseases pose a threat and
the conditions in which that disease will likely appear.
• Field mapping. Keep a record of disease problems on field
maps to help target treatments.
• Resistant varieties. Plant varieties resistant to diseases
present.
• Timing of fungicide sprays. Use a calendar schedule or
weather advisory to determine timing of the first spray and subsequent
treatments. Protecting your crop before infection occurs is crucial.
• Equipment calibration and good canopy coverage are keys
to a successful program. Improper calibration either wastes product
by applying more than is needed or not enough to do the job. Poor
coverage of fungicides is wasted money as the crop is not adequately
protected. Use a lower pressure to make sure fungicides cover
the canopy. A single, flat-fan nozzle directly over the row works
well.
An effective disease management program is vital to growing a
high yielding, quality crop.
|
