A few thoughts as planting season draws closer. Experience teaches us things that we don’t seem to forget especially when they come at a cost. Last planting season we had a late, cool spring which brought on late thrips flights. I wish this was something that we as researchers could scientifically predict.
Many of us seem to have forgotten about TSWV after we got GaO6G some sixteen years ago. However, we have been seeing more TSWV in recent years. I encourage everyone to utilize the Peanut RX guide to help lower your risk or at least weigh your options as a producer on the choices you have.
We have said before and our research last year still proves that Thimet 20G is the best product for reducing TSWV. I know many don’t like to use a granular product, but the data is what it is.
Thinking back on research data about preventing TSWV, before we had resistant cultivars, we only had the cultural practices to help reduce TSWV. Peanut RX has these listed as: planting date, plant stand, at plant insecticide, twin rows and reduced tillage.
Our highest yields are from earlier planting dates like the end of April or first week of May. This is true if we dodge TSWV and do our due diligence to battle against diseases. We know that planting mid-May seems to be the least risk of TSWV, however, we also must have moisture to germinate seeds.
Therefore, we must manage the best we can and just try to reduce our risk. Start planting with a variety that has a high level of TSWV resistance such as Ga 12Y or TifNV HO.
Now we know the earlier we plant the lower the leaf spot pressure but the white mold risk increases. Ga 12 Y helps with this because this variety has the lowest white mold rating. I would still encourage you to use an at-plant insecticide regardless of variety when planting early. Also plant the nematode susceptible fields first.
TifNV HO has a lot of TSWV resistance which would allow to plant early, besides the fact that it is always better the sooner you plant those fields and harvest before the nematodes peak in the fall.
This year is full of challenges due to high cost and limited supplies of products we use, not to mention the second La Nina year in a row. We have been experiencing some drier conditions lately, so let’s conserve as much moisture as we can and make the best decisions possible this planting season. I know I don’t have to tell you it will only be 365 days before we have the chance to do it again.
