Soil Temps
Questions lately about soil temps and planting. Here’s latest soil temps at the UGA Weather Station in Sparks. Avg soil temp (5/1 – 5/4) at 4″ is 73 degrees F. Here are Bob Kemerait’s (UGA Extension Plant Pathologist) comments about planting peanuts now:
“As peanut planting will now begin in earnest, cooler, wetter conditions will help reduce the very real threat from Aspergillus crown rot. Very dry harvest conditions last season increased the risk for seed infestation by the Aspergillus sisters, Niger and Flavus; hot and dry conditions at planting would give them even greater opportunity to “show out” in our early peanut crop. Fortunately, cooler and wetter right now, coupled with excellent seed treatments, to include Trebuset and Rancona, and we should be ok. Fluopyram (Velum) in-furrow also fights Aspergillus crown rot.“
Corn at 2″ soil depth should average 55 degrees minimum.
Peanuts at 4″ should be 68 degrees minimum.
Cotton at 2″ should be 65 degrees minimum.
Soybean at 2″ should be 68 degrees minimum.
Peanut Seed/Foot
Plant enough seed to get 4 plants per foot of row. 6 seed/ft on single row and 6 to 7 combined seed/ft on twin row (3 to 3.5 seed/ft per twin furrow). These rates may need to be bumped up in case of potential low germ rates of seed. At least 4 plants per foot of row will reduce risk of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV).
Peanut Calcium
