| Many variables can affect peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield and quality, and numerous pest species damage the crop. Any action taken to control/prevent one pest may increase or decrease the risk of other pests. Production and pest management costs vary considerably and can influence a grower's decisions to employ one management practice over another. The need to control pest management input costs is high, and helping growers eliminate unnecessary pesticide applications can help maximize overall profits. The global nature of the farm economy puts pressure on producers to keep costs of production low to remain competitive.;A website was created in 2009 by cooperators at North Carolina State University to assist students, extension agents and growers in the Virginia/Carolina region with peanut production and pest management. Content is categorized into: Alerts and News, Disease Advisories, Decision Aids, Topics (Cultivars, Diseases, Insects and Mites, Production, and Weeds), Peanut Notes (timely updates of pest management and peanut production information), Extension Publications, People, a Key Word Index, a Glossary, RSS Feeds, and Related Links. The website also displays information sheets for production and management topics, as well as disease, weed, and insect identification and control.;A web-based decision support system was created in 2006 by cooperators at North Carolina State University to assist peanut growers in Virginia, and North and South Carolina with pre-season risk assessment and pest management decision-making. The interactive decision support system helps users assess the potential impact of competing management strategies on multiple pest species. Individual risk indices were created for each pest, which includes seven diseases, two arthropods, and three nematodes.;Thirteen field trials were completed to quantify the impact of cultivar selection, planting pattern, fumigation, and leaf spot spray strategies on pest incidence, yield, and quality of peanut. To evaluate Cylindrocladium black rot (caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum), a factorial treatment arrangement of two cultivars (Perry and VA 98R), two levels of fumigation (none or metam sodium at 112 L ha--1), and two planting patterns [single (rows spaced 91-cm apart) or twin (two rows spaced 18 cm apart on 91-cm centers)] was used. Damage from tobacco thrips ( Frankiella fusca.) was higher in VA 98R in twin rows than in single rows or for Perry. Less pod scarring caused by southern corn rootworm ( Diabrotica undecimpunctata Howardi) was observed in VA 98R than Perry. Yield of Perry exceeded that of VA 98R in four trials, while yield of VA 98R exceeded that of Perry in two trials. In 4 of 6 trials, peanut in twin rows yielded 330 to 550 kg ha--1more than peanut in single rows. To evaluate Sclerotinia blight (caused by Sclerotinia minor ), a factorial treatment arrangement was used, consisting of two cultivars, two levels of boscalid (none or boscalid at 0.44 kg a.i.ha --1), and two planting patterns. Boscalid decreased Sclerotinia blight in one experiment, and increased yield. Yield of Perry was lower in twin rows versus single rows, but yield of VA 98R was higher in twin rows. To evaluate incidence of both diseases, a factorial treatment arrangement of two cultivars, two levels of fumigation, and two levels of boscalid was used. Both fumigation and planting pattern influenced the incidence of Cylindrocladium black rot, which was higher for VA 98R than Perry. Incidence of early and late leaf spot (caused by the fungi Cercospora arachidicola and Cercosporidium personatum) and pod yield were higher for Perry. The interaction of trial by boscalid was significant for Sclerotinia blight. At one site disease incidence decreased when boscalid was used, while boscalid had no effect at another location, and at a third location, disease incidence increased when boscalid was applied. |
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