By Clint Thompson
Fungicides were essential for Southeast peanut producers suppressing diseases during the rainy 2021 season. Bob Kemerait, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension plant pathologist, is concerned that growers may not have access to those same fungicides amid the current supply chain crisis.
“If someone was to ask me what I think the biggest threat to peanut production going into Georgia and the Southeast in 2022, in my wheelhouse, diseases, it’s going to be the availability of fungicides. Just like we’re finding with any kind of commodity, any kind of product because of supply chain issues, we’re finding a problem with getting them. That remains the same for agricultural chemicals as well. My concern is will we be able to get the fungicides we need?” Kemerait said.
“The ones I’m most concerned with are some of the generic products: the Azoxystrobin, Pyraclostrobin, Tebuconazole, generic products, older products, but they’re often times used as gap fillers in our program because they’re inexpensive. They’re the ones we’re having the most trouble getting from countries like China.”
Management Tips
Kemerait offers management tips for growers in case fungicides are in a tight supply this year. Producers should use Peanut Rx to predict the severity of a threat from diseases and make changes to reduce that risk. Peanut Rx can also help growers tailor their fungicide programs to be appropriate for specific fields. Farmers will also need contingency plans in case a particular product is not available.
He added that most premium fungicides should be available barring a drastic increase in acreage. There are not expected to be shortages of Convoy, which is used for white mold control, or chlorothalonil, which provides activity against early and late leaf spot and peanut rust.