Field evaluation of peanut cultivars to early leaf spot, late leaf spot, and southern blight at Beaumont, MS, 2023

Early and late leaf spot and southern blight, caused by the fungal pathogens Passalora arachidicola, Nothopassalora personata and Athelia rolfsii, respectively, are among the important diseases in peanut production regions of the United States. Leaf spot symptoms include lesions on leaves, petioles and stems often with a yellow halo in the case of early leaf spot, while southern blight symptoms include wilting and plant death. This report evaluates disease susceptibility within the Mississippi State Official Peanut Variety Trial located in Beaumont, MS during 2023. Results from these trials will assist U.S. peanut producers in selecting management options for these diseases.