Seedling disease in peanuts can be an issue, but hopefully we won’t see as much with recent rainfall. Following is information from Dr. Bob Kemerait, UGA Extension Pathologist on Aspergillus crown rot and the updated Peanut Rx application.
Three main points:
1. Stand loss in peanuts continues even several days after emergence, largely as a result of Aspergillus crown rot.
2. Aspergillus crown rot can occur in any peanut field, but is most severe in hot, dry, non-irrigated fields where the tender shoot can be scalded by the hot sands.
3. Irrigation and rainfall can help reduce incidence of Aspergillus crown rot, but chemical control requires a good fungicide seed treatment and, sometimes, an in-furrow fungicide. Azoxystrobin, the active ingredient in Abound and Quadris and a component in Dynasty PD is not as good as it once was against Aspergillus crown rot. But it was as good once as it ever was.
For the updated Peanut Rx application, visit https://peanutrx.org. If you have questions, please let us know.