Craig presented two papers at the recent APRES meeting.
Peanut Response to Biological Products Applied in North Carolina
C. ELLISON*, D. LILLEY, T. BATTS, and D.L. JORDAN, NC State Extension, Raleigh, NC 27695.
Research was conducted in separate trials to determine peanutresponse to in-furrow treatments at planting that could be considered biological. In one trial conducted in 2024 and 2025, a grower standard program [Imidacloprid (11 oz/acre) plus Catapult Inoculant plus Challenge (16 oz/acre)] was compared to an enhanced program [Imidacloprid (11 oz/acre) plus Catapult Inoculant plus Premium x-tra (24 oz/acre) plus Challenge (32 oz/acre) plus Establish (32 oz) plus Boron x-tra(5 oz/acre)]. There was no difference in pod yield for these treatments in both years. Hydra-Hume (1% soluble potash) at 1 gal/acre applied in-furrow at planting was compared with non-treated peanut at two locations in 2024. Peanut yield was greater at one location when Hydra-Hume was applied; no difference was observed at the second location.
Results from Grower Meeting Surveys in the Virginia-Carolina Region for the 2025 and 2026 Cropping Cycles
C. ELLISON*, B. BARROW, E. GODFREY III, H. HOWE, L. GRIMES, M. STRICKLAND, L. MILES, M. CARROLL, D. KING, S. JALAI, P. SMITH, B. PIKE, B. PENDLETON, T. BRITTON, D. LILLEY, J. MORGAN, M. WATERS, M. HUFFMAN, M. SEITZ, J. HARRELL, J. SMITH, M. SMITH, A. GROVE, M. MALLOY, R. WOOD, D. ANDERSON, T. BATTS, Z. PARKER, W. HAINES, D. REISIG, L. LUX, and D.L. JORDAN, NC State Extension, Raleigh, NC 27695; L. PREISSER, S. REITER, E. COOPER, S. RUTHERFORD, N. CLARK, A. SLYE, M. PARRISH, S. MALONE, J. FOREHAND, D. LANGSTON, W.H. FRAME, and T. BRYANT, Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, Blacksburg, VA 24061; J. CROFT, J. VARN, R. GIBSON, H. MIKELL, K. SMITH, D, DEWITT, Z. DANTZLER, W. HARDEE, M. BARNES, D. ANCO, and M. MARSHALL, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, Clemson, SC 29634.
A survey of practices associated with planting dates, insectdamage, tillage systems, fungicide programs, and use of the leaf spot and Sclerotinia blight advisories was conducted for the 2024 and 2025 cropping cycles in North Carolina (105 respondents during both years representing 30 to 31% of acreage), Virginia (14 respondents in 2024 and 30 respondents in 2025 representing 10% to 25% of acreage, respectively), and South Carolina (5 to 14 respondents representing less than 5% of acreage). In these respective states, 21%, 60%, and 100% (2024) and 14%, 66%, and 73% (2025) of growers planted in a reduced or minimum tillage system. Planting dates varied from early April through June. In North Carolina, 2%, 21%, 79%, 24%, and 4% (2024) and 2%, 29%, 64%, 37%, and 8% (2025) of growers planted peanuts in April 1-15, April 16-31, May 1-15, May 16-31, and June 1 or later, respectively. In Virginia, 21% of growers reported planting at least some peanuts in late April with the balance planted in early and late May (2024). In 2025, 90% of growers in this state planted in early May with 13% and 20% planted in late April and late May, respectively. In South Carolina, growers reported that all peanuts were planted in early May (2024) with 14%, 86%, and 21% planted in late April, early May, and late-May, respectively (2025). Burrower bug was not listed as an issue in Virginia or South Carolina in 2024. In North Carolina, this insect affected 2% and 5% of growers responding to survey questions in the 2024 and 2025 cropping cycles, respectively. This was significant decrease from reports in 2022 (9%) and 2023 (19%) cropping cycles in North Carolina.While burrower bug did not affect growers completing the survey in South Carolina in 2025, 4% of growers surveyed were affected in Virginia in 2025. Southern corn rootworm damage was not observed in South Carolina (only five farmers reported) in 2024 with 7% affected in 2025. In 2024, 19% and 21% of growers reported at least some damage from this insect in North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. In 2025, 21% and 37% of growers were affected by this insect in these respective states. Although not asked on surveys, many of the growers made a note indicated that damage was either minor or not yield limiting for southern corn rootworm. Leaf spot and Sclerotinia blight advisories are used in North Carolina and Virginia. In North Carolina, 49% of growers and 42% of growers in Virginia used the leaf spot advisory in 2024. In 2025, 34% and 63% of growers used the leaf spot advisory in these respective states. The Sclerotinia blight advisory was used in 2024 by 39% and 33% of growers in North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. In these respective states in 2025, 52% and 30% of growers used the Sclerotinia blight advisory.