Every year, there are several issues we consistently deal with early in a peanut field. Weeds, thrips, and spotted wilt are a few that come to mind. Since many control tactics for some of these issues start and end at the planter, in-furrow applications and planter set up should be at the top of the list for growers this spring.
Controlling weeds should be a major priority as we enter the growing season. Having an effective PPI / PRE herbicide program assists in starting the season clean and buys you time before a postemergence application is required. Integrating post residual herbicides reduces the number of weeds that emerge for our postemergence herbicides to control. An activating rainfall or irrigation is essential for pre-emergence or post residual products, otherwise an earlier postemergence application may be required.
Thrips and spotted wilt management go hand in hand. By the time the seed furrow closes, most of your control options for these pests are etched in stone. Proper stand establishment (about four plants per foot of row) is a major factor regarding thrips management. Effective in-furrow insecticides can reduce thrips damage and reduce your risk for spotted wilt. Post-emergence insecticides can help reduce thrips feeding and damage but will not necessarily reduce the risk of spotted wilt infection.
One concern we have specifically in Virginia is managing our peanuts in a way that maximizes available heat units. Depending on the temperatures in the fall and growing conditions early in the season, we can push the envelope for growing a fully mature peanut crop here. Some growers try to combat this by planting earlier to capture more heat units. This can create a higher risk for seedling diseases and spotted wilt. Planting earlier, especially in cooler conditions, can result in slow growing peanuts, creating perfect hosts with extended thrips pressure. While it may be tempting to plant early to capture more heat units, planting peanuts during optimum conditions (65 degrees Fahrenheit soil temperature at 4-inch depth) allows peanuts to get off to a better start, limiting the risk of early season stressors.
A major consideration for peanut growers in 2026 should be proper inoculation. The current price of fertilizers to meet peanuts’ nitrogen requirement would result in a substantial increase in production costs. Inoculants provide a cheap insurance plan to help reduce the risk of N deficiency by increasing the available bacteria present for biological nitrogen fixation. In fields where peanuts have been out of rotation for an extended period, inoculants are critical as these situations can be extremely productive when properly inoculated. Proper utilization of inoculants is essential to their performance. Utilizing chlorine-free water, keeping inoculants out of direct sunlight, ensuring proper in-furrow stream placement, and disregarding any inoculant that has sat in the tank for an extended period are all essential for successful inoculation.
The trip across the field with the planter represents some of the most important applications and tactics we have for many early season issues in peanuts. Proper planting date, seed depth, population, in-furrow insecticides, and inoculants are all very important for optimum growth and development in peanuts. Attention during this step can pay dividends later in the season.
I wish everyone a successful crop in 2026. I look forward to what this season has to offer. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
