Update by Bob Kemerait
Southern rust has been found in Lee County, so we are beginning to see a move north. Conditions this week- hot with good chance of rain should be near-perfect for spread of southern rust. I looked at a sample last week of rust from Ben Hill county but it was confirmed common rust not southern rust.
Peanut Diseases: I expect very soon that growers will talk less and less about Aspergillus crown rot and more and more about leaf spot and white mold. “Hot with good chances for rain and a peanut crop older than 30 days” all add up to a good recipe for disease in the peanut fields. Timely applications of appropriate fungicides are critical.