By David Jordan
Peanuts in many fields across the region are actively blooming and will begin significant pegging. Considerable variation in crop growth and development has been observed across the region even within local geographies. For example, peanuts planted in mid-April in a twin row planting pattern (centers of beds spaced 38 inches apart with twins seeded 7 to 9 inches apart) are lapping (laterals are meeting in row middles) while peanuts in the same general area planted later in single rows are considerably further behind in growth and development. Rainfall has impacted growth, and the 2026 crop has experienced distribution as sporadic as any year in recent memory. However, growers in many areas of the region have experienced rainfall in adequate amounts to move the crop forward. In contrast, in other areas peanuts are much further behind due to continued drought. For example, significant rain has been present in northeastern North Carolina in June while southeastern North Carolina continues to experience drought. Rainfall is expected during the week of July 6, although forecasts have moderated in terms of the amount and duration.
Growers have started spray programs to protect peanuts from leafspot and stem rot diseases across the region. Growers in South Carolina in the southern part of the V-C region are moving to their second application of fungicides while in North Carolina and Virginia most growers have recently completed their first application to protect peanuts from these diseases. Most growers will apply fungicides on a 14-day schedule through mid-September.
Tomato spotted wilt is becoming obvious in some fields, especially where plant populations were marginal and peanuts were panted early. Insects that attack foliage have been limited thus far, although burn caused by the potato leafhopper has been observed. Growers are cautioned to make sure insect populations are approaching economic injury levels before applying insecticides to avoid inducing secondary outbreaks of spider mites. Excessively dry conditions in June and early July have created conditions that are highly likely to experience spider mites if insecticides are applied excessively. Growers will also need to consider risk of pathogen activity for leaf spot disease if dry conditions persist. Excessive use of chlorothalonil, the most popular fungicide used in peanuts in the region, can flare spider mites like broad-spectrum insecticides. A beneficial fungus is present during moist conditions that suppresses spider mite populations naturally. When conditions are dry, this fungus is less active, and when fungicides are sprayed under dry conditions when the pathogen for leafspot is not active, the fungicide can further reduce presence of beneficial fungi that suppresses spider mite populations.
Growers with escaped Palmer amaranth plants are beginning to remove these plants by hand to prevent seed production for future cropping cycles and minimize interference with yield, improve digging efficiency and minimize pod loss at digging.
The Viriginia-Carolina region needs considerably more rain to maintain potential yield. Yield potential across the region remains 4,200 pounds/acre (4,704 kg/ha) but could decrease if dry conditions persist in parts of the region through July.
Source : ncsu.edu