Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus: TSWV of Peanut: Factors
TSWV of Peanut
Planting Date
Thrips populations and peanut susceptibility to infection are at their highest in the early spring. The timing of peanut emergence in relattion to rapidly changing thrips populations can make a big difference in incidence of TSWV for the remainder of the season. Optimum planting dates vary from year to year, but in general early-planted and late-planted peanuts tend to have higher levels of TSWV than peanuts planted in the middle of the planting season. It is important for larger acreage peanut farmers to spread out their harvest season. Some staggering of planting dates may be necessary, but to avoid spotted wilt pressure, it may be more effective to plant varieties with different time-to-maturity requirements as closely as possible within a low-risk time period. If peanuts must be planted during a high-risk period, try to minimize the risk associated with other factors.
Information compiled: January, 2003.