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Peanut specialists across the tri-state area are warning farmers to make some special precautions as they make plans to plant their peanuts.
A lot of the specialists are worried about the tomato spotted wilt virus that usually affects the planting of peanuts, and there are some decisions that can be made to help control that. One is planting date. Another one is some varieties.
Another one is to use Thiamet to treat your soil, but remember to keep the seed in the bag and wait for better conditions. Try not to plant in dry, hot soil and irrigate after planting. This could shock the seed and cause uneven emergence as they sprout.
It’s always better to irrigate before and after planting when temperatures are high and dry as they are currently. Remember, peanut seed viability can be affected by extreme heat, so do not keep them in prolonged periods in direct sunlight or in closed trailers. Doing so could reduce germination viability and the vigor of those peanuts.
So be ready to make special concessions as this dry weather continues and everybody’s out praying for rain, but it is peanut planting time.
Audio Reporting by Tyron Spearman for Southeast AgNet.