In the 90’s and early 2000’s tomato spotted wilt virus (tswv) caused significant damage to the southeastern peanut crop. Breeders quickly found cultivars (Georgia Green) with resistance to the virus and the disease began to be less prevalent.
Because of this resistance many growers, especially newer ones, have never seen TSWV as bad as we are seeing this season. the most likely reason for this increase in virus incidence are the skippy stands that we experienced this spring.
Whether it was because of the weather or poor germination we had some issue in the area with skips and large gaps in peanut plantings. TSWV is spread by thrips that routinely feed on row crops early in the year. For whatever reason TSWV is always worse when you have uneven emergence or skips between plants.
If plants are infected early you may notice severe stunting like this.
However later infection may show up as yellow, mottled or even distorted leaves like this.
