Peanut Stand Problems

 

It seems like we are having a harder time in recent years getting a good stand of peanuts. Here’s a good research report concerning steps we can take by Dr. Tim Brenneman, UGA Plant Pathologist.

 

Each year we have fields with stand problems as a result of poor seed, adverse environmental conditions, poor planting practices, etc.  This creates a real problem for the grower, especially on later planted peanut with little possibility of replanting.

 

The best practice by far is to do things right and get a good stand of uniformly emerging peanuts the first time.  All commercial peanut seed is treated with fungicide dust, currently Dynasty PD (or in some cases CruiserMaxx which also contains an insecticide for thrips).  While these products usually do a great job on seed and seedling diseases, sometimes we still have stand issues.

 

One good option for dealing with this is to apply an in furrow fungicide.  Abound (azoxystrobin) is the product of choice for this application, and we have had very good results with low rates 2.9 fl oz/A (5.8 fl oz/A for twin rows) working just as well as rates 4 times that high.  This product is particularly active on Aspergillus species, which are some of our worst seed pathogens.  We have not seen phytotoxicity issues, and it has worked very well, even in trials where no seed treatment was applied (see photo below).  It is also compatible with liquid inoculants that are being applied in furrow also.  The low rate is cheap ($3-4 per acre),  and can provide a good additional measure of seedling disease control to get the crop off to a good start.

 

 

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.