Planting steadily continues across the state. At the beginning of the week, approximately 40% of SC peanut acres have been planted. Limited moisture has slowed early season growth in dryland fields. Thrips injury reports have been modest.

Fields planted near April 20 are just over 30 days old. The early season window for paraquat application is from cracking to not more than 28 days after cracking. If needed, we can apply 2 applications of paraquat. Addition of 8 oz Basagran helps to reduce burn on peanut, which is additionally helpful when a residual is applied at the same time. Paraquat rate when applied with basagran is increased, from 5.5 oz/A alone to 8 oz/A (2 lb ai/gal formulation) combo or from 8 oz/A alone to 12 oz/A (2 lb formulation) in combination with basagran.

Rotation concerns, including for cotton, can exclude Cadre from being used for weeds including sicklepod and nutsedge. Where rotation is not an obstacle, its 90-day PHI focuses its use to the early-mid part of the season.

Various things can cause a planter to put out less than the desired rate of seed. Assuming seed germination is not a concern, and we have 2.3 to 2.5 or more plants per foot, my (humble) recommendation would be to not try to drop in next to the furrow to add additional seed. Thrips at this time of year are less of a concern for areas where a stand may be less full compared to others, which helps to reduce the impact of a lower population on overall injury. In addition to the seed cost (which may or may not enter into the equation), dropping in with another pass of planting would add associated costs of any added inoculant and insecticide, plus fuel.