There continues to be fields with yellow peanuts. In some cases it is due to wet fields and cloudy weather. In other fields for some reason infection by roots by bacteria (either in inoculant or native in soil from previous peanut crops) is inadequate to supply the nitrogen needs of the plant. Keep in mind that a peanut plant needs just as much nitrogen as a corn or cotton plant for proper growth and development and achievement of optimum yield. Inoculant is certainly the most effective way to "provide" the nitrogen needed by peanuts (a legume.)

The later the deficiency occurs in the season the less nitrogen is needed to correct the issue. We have not looked at this extensively, but I created a table in 2022 Peanut Information (page 27) to address this. Honestly, this is my best guess at how to handle a nitrogen deficiency as the season goes by.

Peanut plants need many many nodules by this time year to supply the plant's needs. Early on we have a threshold of about 15 but that is not nearly enough now.  Yesterday someone sent an image of yellow peanuts and they only had 8-10 nodules. That is not nearly enough. My recommendation was to apply 350 pounds of AMS ASAP.

Table 3-7

<70 days after planting - apply 500 pounds AMS

71-100 days after planting - apply 400 pounds AMS

101-130 days after planting - apply 300 pounds of AMS

>130 days after planting- apply 200 pounds of AMS