Survey of herbicide and fungicide use in peanut in North Carolina and Virginia in the United States

Diseases and weeds can reduce yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) if effective control measures including fungicides and herbicides are not used. A survey of 76 farmers in North Carolina and Virginia at Cooperative Extension Service meetings was completed relative to fungicide and herbicide use in 2021. Eighty-two percent of farmers made between three and five herbicide applications, while 68% of farmers made between four and five fungicide applications. 2,4-DB was the herbicide applied most frequently. The fungicide chlorothalonil was applied the most often. Pydiflumetofen was applied by 61% of farmers. Results from this survey can be used to inform regulatory agencies on pesticide use patterns by defining the relative importance of individual or groups of pesticides currently used to suppress pests and prevent or mitigate associated economic losses.