Tips to minimize Valor injury in peanuts

Valor injury is a topic that comes up every year. We use Valor extensively because it is a great product. It helps keep the ground clean while the peanuts grow and start to cover but that usually comes with a little injury. Here are some tips to help minimize Valor injury in your peanuts.

• Planting High-Quality Seed (Germ and Vigor). Seed quality is important in 2019. Find
  out the % germ of peanut seed that has been purchased.
• Planting in Good Moisture and Temperature allowing the seed the best opportunity to
  germinate and emerge quickly.
• Planting peanuts at the Correct Depth of at least 1.5” deep. Planting shallower can
  increase the risk of Valor injury along with germination issues, if the soil dries out too quickly.
• Applying Valor no later than 2 days after planting. The risk of Valor injury goes up
  significantly the closer Valor is applied to peanut emergence.
• Irrigating as soon as possible behind the Valor application to activate herbicide and
  reduce injury. Valor injury can still occur after a hard rain during cracking and
  emergence even though a field was irrigated after application.
• Not irrigating during cracking and emergence unless the fields are hot and dry and need
  irrigation to ensure a good stand. Typically, the lack of moisture can result in more
  stand loss than the loss from Valor injury.
• Do keep in mind that UGA has a fair amount of data that suggest peanuts will recover from Valor injury with little to no yield loss.

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