Row Crop Disease Update

We have a lot of attention on white mold in peanuts now. This has definitely been a white mold year. I’ve noticed tomato spotted wilt also. Here is a field last week abnormally high TSWV, especially considering their planting date and at plant insecticides. Below are comments from UGA Extension Pathologist Dr. Bob Kemerait:

1. WHITE MOLD ON PEANUTS has been EXTREME this year for many growers because of prolonged, very warm temperatures and, at times, adequate rainfall.  NO PROGRAM will stop all white mold, BUT your program should be able to CONTAIN “hits” of white mold to a few plants and not to long streaks in the field.
2.  
   

   Angular Leaf Spot

   Angular leaf spot and bacterial blight of cotton have been unusually common this year, though largely confined to SW Georgia.  I am now receiving reports of some findings east of I-75.

3. Target spot of cotton is now developing, quickly in some areas.  Cotton beyond the 6th week of bloom is likely safe.  NOTE:  If you know of fields with target spot, please let me know as I need to collect isolates.
4. Still no Asian soybean rust found in Georgia, though I expect it at any time.  Any of our soybean crop that has not reached R6/full seed growth stage is still vulnerable if the diseases arrives. 
5. Further notes on white mold:  A)  Growers should consider prolonging their white mold programs, perhaps adding mixes of tebuconazole and chlorothalonil at the end.  B) The labeled rate of tebuconazole is 7.2 fl oz/A (not a pint)  C) GOOD NEWS!  Cooler morning temperatures forecast this week (mid 60s in Tifton) coupled with a drier air mass should help to SLOW the development of white mold.  D) Dryland fields may have less-than-desired white mold control IF rains have not been timely to more fungicides to the crown of the plant.  This is NOT the fault of the fungicide.
6. 

   Tomato Spotted Wilt

   Tomato Spotted Wilt:  “Honey, I’m baaaaaaaaaak…….” .. For the third year in a row, we are seeing an increase in Spotted wilt disease.  We will discuss this more at (grower meetings).  Dr. Culbreath and I visited a field last week in Evans County where the incidence of TSWV was ~65%.