The 2025 version of the Peanut Disease Risk Index, known as Peanut Rx, contains changes to the cultivar/variety section. There have been few changes to the index except in terms of varietal point values and also minor updates in the discussion of the use of Classic herbicide.
Additional varietal research data is gained each year but may not be available for all varieties and all diseases. As data to support index values is collected, changes are made to the ratings. Some rarely grown varieties remain as examples of how TSWV resistance has changed over time.
Losses Decreased In 2024
In 2024, losses to TSWV across the Southeastern region were estimated to be about 3%, down from an estimated 5% in 2023 and 7% in 2022.
While the severity of TSWV varies across the region, for example, it is more severe in the tri-state region of Florida, Alabama and Georgia and less severe in South Carolina, Mississippi and peninsular Florida, this disease has significant impact on the majority of acres in the region planted to peanuts.
As with previous versions of the Disease Index, growers will note that attention to variety selection, planting date, plant population, good crop rotation, tillage and other factors, have a tremendous impact on the potential for diseases in a field.
Still A Mystery
Reasons for continued losses to TSWV are not fully understood; however, the impact of a warmer spring season on thrips and less attention to production practices that help mitigate TSWV are possible factors.
The team of Extension and research scientists reviewing the 2025 Peanut Disease Risk Index are as follows: the University of Georgia’s Robert Kemerait, Albert Culbreath, Tim Brenneman, Scott Tubbs, Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan, Mark Abney, Scott Monfort, Cristiane Pilon, Sudeep Bag, Nino Brown, Joe LaForest and Eric Prostko; the University of Florida’s Barry Tillman, Nicholas Dufault, Ian Small and Daniel Leonard; Auburn University’s Charles Chen, Alana Jacobson, Kris Balkcom, Amanda Strayer-Scherer and Scott Graham; Brendan Zurweller from Mississippi State University; Dan Anco representing Clemson University and LeAnn Lux from North Carolina State University. PG
