A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

Quite a bit happening all across Worth County this week. Scattered showers are a blessing wherever we are getting them. Corn harvest is going strong. Many of our earlier planted peanuts and cotton are nearing maturity; we are looking forward to our peanut maturity clinics starting next week, and checking cotton as we near defoliation and harvest. Fall vegetable crops are being planted also, including peppers, sweet corn, and snap beans.

I would like to hit a few key things to be aware of:

In peanuts, we have seen white mold hits on the increase for the last couple of weeks. According to Dr. Bob Kemerait, “Recognizing that there is likely a good chance the storm will affect us early next week, peanut growers should consider timely fungicide applications ahead of the storm. Also, they should recognize that conditions are, and will continue to be very, very favorable for development and spread of white mold, leaf spot, and now peanut rust.  Be prepared.” He confirmed peanut rust in Mitchell County this week, so it could be around. If you see or suspect rust, give us a call for more information on fungicide options. Foliage feeders are also in fields, some more than others. Peanut vines can withstand some feeding on the leaves, but keep an eye on caterpillars (I have mainly been seeing velvetbean caterpillars, loopers, and corn earworms/tobacco budworms). Our threshold is 4 to 8 caterpillars per 1 foot of row. Spider mites are starting to pop up in dry corners and in non-irrigated peanut fields – some have required treatment.

Some cotton fields are cutting out and will be on schedule for defoliation soon. But, later planted cotton will need to be checked more closely at this time; I am seeing silverleaf whitefly populations shift to the younger fields, so scout and treat when needed. Spider mites have also reached treatable levels in some fields in the last couple of weeks. As far as disease pressure, we have not seen as much at this time; but target spot and areolate mildew need to be on the radar of scouts and growers. Dr. Kemerait states, “Areolate mildew continues to be found in more cotton fields across the Coastal Plain. While the fields have been scattered, I believe areolate mildew will quickly spread over the coming week. Timely fungicide applications can protect yield IF 1) you are further than 4 weeks from defoliation, 2) you have good yield potential, 3) the disease has not advanced too far, and 4) weather conditions are favorable for spread (they are).”

Silverleaf whiteflies in tender terminals of cotton