Peanut Pointers

will become more prevalent. Other insecticides, although more expensive, can minimize the risk of spider mites and are more effective on pyrethroid-resistant individuals in the population.

If it turns out we have good growing conditions, Bailey II and Emery, and in some cases Sullivan, can have excessive vine growth. Apogee or Kudos can help a lot here. The first spray goes out when 50% of vines from adjacent rows are touching. A second application can be made two to three weeks later, if needed. Do not force the second spray. You will begin seeing regrowth and that is the time to make the follow-up application. We can set peanuts back if we apply these plant growth regulators under dry conditions or if we start the sprays too early. Always include nitrogen with these PGRs. There are many questions in July and August about tankmixing, but there is not nearly enough room to address those questions here.

No Simple Solution To Getting The Crop On Track

longer than two weeks.

The final spray should include chlorothalonil. In some years, and depending on when you started your spray program, a sixth spray may be needed, especially if September is warm and peanuts are not going to be dug until sometime in October.

We have seen less and less Sclerotinia blight over the past decade, but it is still out there. Resistance in our Virginiamarket type varieties (Bailey II and Sullivan) is good for this disease. The exception is Emery, but it is much better than the older varieties like CHAMPS and Perry. Depending on the fungicides you are using for leaf spot, you may also be controlling any Sclerotinia blight you might have with those products.

If we get dry during July and August, keep in mind that rainfall is not always the best indicator of whether leaf spot will continue developing. We have observed significant leaf spot under drought — defined by no rain — if dew points are high at night. The leaf spot advisory can help you keep spraying when risk is high and stop spraying when the risk is low.

Our current thresholds for foliar-feeding insects, such as fall armyworm, corn earworm and tobacco budworm, are relatively high. However, if you need to make an application, use caution, especially if it is dry and spider mites are building. If you use a pyrethroid, it is very likely mites

The planting season has been a little crazy with the cool weather and seed quality issues, mostly seed vigor. The good news is that a majority of the crop is up and looking good so far. There are several items to note with the crop at this point.

One, several fields had a tough time reaching adequate stands because of low-seed vigor and cool, wet weather. In the first part of May, weather caused most of the issues, but as we moved into late May, poor seed quality (seed vigor) became more evident.

SCOTT MONFORT University of Georgia Extension Agronomist

Two, the cool weather also slowed growth and delayed blooming across most of Georgia.

Three, the cool wet weather also delayed planting by one to two weeks, causing a majority of field plantings to be in mid-to-late May with about 15% to 20% in June. Keep these delays in mind as we go through the season as maturity will be impacted. Also, remember that the yield potential of peanuts planted in June will be reduced 10% to 15% depending on the weather in September and October. Juneplanted peanuts will need a very warm fall to maximize yield potential.

One way you can keep up with heat units is through the UGA weather network at www.weather.uga.edu. Click on “Calculator,” and then “Heating Degree Day.”