MOULTRIE — I have been getting several calls about late season diseases in peanuts.  An interesting disease that has been noticed more this year is Diplodia collar rot.

This disease is occasionally seen early in the season killing young plants, but is most commonly seen later in the season associated with dead and dying plants.

 Typical symptoms include dark, gray limbs that are covered with small, black raised fruiting structures. 

Most often late season diplodia collar rot is associated with plants affected by tomato spotted wilt.  Accroding to Bob Kemerait, UGA plant pathologist, fungicides have not been an effective control measure, likely due to the underlying association with TSWV.  It seems that more Diplodia collar rot has been noticed this year in the area, however the reason for this is unclear.