JOHN BEASLEY
University of Georgia
Extension Peanut Agronomist
Toward the end of the season, there are numerous pest-related problems
that must be monitored. Diseases can cause problems all year long, right
up until harvest. Therefore, a disease management program must be maintained
– especially foliar disease protection. Do not forget to apply fungicides
up to within two weeks of harvest.
Late-emerging weeds do not affect yield by robbing water and nutrients
but can cause significant yield reduction by interfering with fungicide
applications and harvest. Do not let late-emerging weeds get out of hand
by getting taller than the peanut canopy.
Insects are the pest problem that will rob yield and grade potential
if not monitored closely late in the season. Walk and scout each field
to check for foliage-feeding and pod-feeding insect species. Check with
your county Extension office for recommended insecticides, rates and timing
of applications.
Todd Baughman
Texas A&M University
Extension Agronomist
Irrigation is an extremely important, if not the most critical, input
for peanut yield in Texas. Making sure to not get behind on irrigation
is vital to insuring maximum yields. Even in a wet year like last year,
there were instances where growers waited too long to start irrigation
and subsequently had less-than-ideal yields.
Peanuts have a seasonal water requirement of 24 to 28 inches, which must
be supplied through stored soil moisture, rainfall or irrigation. Unfortunately,
Mother Nature has not been kind so far, and it appears much of this will
have to be supplied through irrigation. Water requirements are highest
from bloom through kernel development, and any deficit during this period
will result in reduced yield. Once we get behind on water in Texas, we
generally never catch back up. Make sure to stay ahead of the water-use
curve.
David Jordan
North Carolina State University
Extension Agronomist
Controlling insects, disease and even weeds continues to
be important. Fall armyworm and corn earworm thresholds help in controlling
these pests. Hopefully, it won’t be a “spider mite year”
like 2007. In case it is, try to control mite patches before they become
well established. Minimize unnecessary fungicide and insecticide sprays
to minimize mite outbreaks, especially in dryland production. Use high
pressure and a higher-than-normal water volume when applying mite control
products. Mixing agrichemicals to control multiple pests in a single application
is possible, but some mixtures compromise control. See www.peanut.ncsu.edu
for a compatibility guide or the April issue of this magazine. Apogee
can be used for excessive vine growth. While it is considered “pricey”
by many, it is very effective in managing excessive growth. Talk with
folks that have applied the material before you treat a high number of
acres with Apogee.
Kris Balkcom
Auburn University
Agri-Program Associate
The weather this year is very similar to the last two years. The forecast
throughout the next week is predicting good chances for rain. So, let’s
be hopeful that the weather is turning around.
The early planted peanuts are beginning to start setting their crop,
and it’s a little early for the later-planted peanuts. So we still
have time to produce a good crop. Keep in mind the need to apply a material
for white mold if we start receiving some timely showers on the earlier
planted peanuts because of the hot, dry conditions they have endured.
The white mold outbreaks have shown to be severe in these situations.
PG
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