Peanut Disease and Nematode Management Tips For 2015

Dr. Bob Kemerait is an Extension Plant Pathologist for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and offers the following Peanut Disease and Nematode management tips for effectively managing your 2015 peanut crops.

Disease and nematode management will be a critical component for profitability and success during the 2015 Peanut season. It is expected that there will be a significant increase in Peanut acreage planted in 2015. Planting more peanuts at the expense of good crop rotation will surely lead to a reduction in yield over time.

Some growers are interested in using Proline fungicide either in-furrow or as an early-season treatment for management of white mold.

Question: When would you consider a Proline application early?

Answer: I would certainly consider an in-furrow use of Proline for fields where risk to CBR is high or where it has been a problem in the past. An in-furrow use is an effective treatment for CBR.I would also consider use of in-furrow Proline where additional efforts to manage white mold are desired, e.g. where white mold has been a problem, where fields are planted peanut to peanut, and perhaps in years where excessively high summer temperatures are expected.

NOTE: An in-furrow use of Proline for control of white mold is NOT the BEST use of the product (banded early emergence applications are generally more consistent in protecting yield). However, for growers who do not want, or are unable, to put out the banded application, an in-furrow application can have some efficacy.

From the data, the most effective way to use Proline is as a post-emergent, banded application likely between 3 and 5 weeks after emergence. This treatment is most appropriate for fields at increased risk to white mold. Factors that increase risk to white mold include:

  • Short rotations with peanuts
  • Fields with a history of losses to white mold
  • Seasons that begin very much warmer than normal. (Growers will have several weeks after planting to decide if such is the case.)

VELUM Total is now labeled for use in peanut as a management tool for nematodes and thrips. The rate for peanut will be 18 fl oz/A. VELUM Total can be mixed with liquid inoculants and in-furrow fungicides.

Registration for ELATUS fungicide (a combination of Abound and the SDHI fungicide “solatenol”) is expected to occur in time for use this growing season, but has not occurred yet. When it is labeled, ELATUS will be an effective fungicide for management of leaf spot and soilborne diseases.