Ag Update 8/10/23 | UGA Extension Cook County

Peanut White Mold

1) Timely fungicide applications of effective fungicides at appropriate rates. 2) Try to time the fungicide application so that the field receives rainfall or irrigation within 24 hours. 3) Recognize that no fungicide program will eliminate white mold from a field. But an effective fungicide program must contain the white mold. – Kemerait.

White Mold on peanut stem. White mycelium and sclerotia (tan birdshot sized structures) visible confirm the disease.

False White Mold. Usually turns yellow after a few days and doesn’t have sclerotia (white/brown birdshot sized BB’s) and is harmless.

Not white mold. Corky, warty growth on peanut pods are often found when the peanuts are growing in wet soils. The corky growths are benign and they may be an attempt by the plant to increase gas exchange with the pod in saturated soils. The pods and plant are not negatively affected. It is not disease or nematodes – Kemerait. (Pic – Ben Reeves, Berrien Co)

Tomato spotted wilt virus – Virus can cause some strange symptoms but the white halos or doughnuts confirm this virus on peanuts.

Worms in Peanut

Worms are showing up in some fields. Velvet bean caterpillars and loopers have been found. Threshold is 4-8 worms/foot. Lower threshold (4) for younger, smaller or stressed plants and higher (8) threshold for older, larger, healthier plants. Diflubenzuron (dimilin) works well on velvet bean caterpillars but not on loopers.

Rainfastness of Cotton PGR Products – Wade Parker

Southern Corn Rust

Southern corn rust was found in Cook Co Monday (8/7). Corn at hard-dough R5 stage (nearly all kernels are dented) and beyond is safe. Later planted corn is not.