Preventing the Diseases of Peanuts

Prevention, rather than cure, is the rule with the diseases of peanuts. Some beneficial preventive measures are the application of fungicides to seed to prevent seed rot, the use of fungicidal dusts or sprays on grovv^ing plants to prevent leaf spot, and the treatment of soil with chemicals before planting to control nematodes and soil insects. Prevention involves more than the use of chemicals, however. Management practices that promote vigorous growth enable the plants to escape infection or to survive after infection. Outstanding are rotations that include one or two crops of corn, oats, or similar crops before each peanut crop; adequate mineral fertilization; planting on light-textured, well-drained soils; and reduction of mechanical damage by cultivating implements.