University of Georgia extension specialist and plant pathologist Bob Kemerait works with diseases and nematodes affecting peanut crops. During the 2026 Georgia Peanut Tour visit to the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, Kemerait discussed the disease challenges Georgia peanut growers face and the importance of protecting the crop’s yield potential.

“When we bring people on this Georgia Peanut Tour, they seem to see some of the best of the best peanuts grown anywhere in the world,” Kemerait says. “And it’s easy when you see the peanuts growing, it’s easy to underestimate just how hard our growers have to work to make them look as good as they do.”

Georgia’s hot, humid weather creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases, including leaf spot and white mold. Growers also have to manage tomato spotted wilt virus. Kemerait says growers must invest in the right varieties, crop rotation and fungicides to protect their crop throughout the growing season.

“Right now, our peanut crop has the opportunity to make 6,000 pounds per acre or more with the good varieties we have,” Kemerait says. “But if you do not manage disease, it could take it down to 4,000, 3,000, 2,000 pounds per acre.” Effective disease management is critical to protecting the yield potential of Georgia’s peanut crop.

Kemerait also highlighted the importance of the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center at Midville, where researchers from multiple disciplines work together to address challenges facing growers. Plant pathologists, entomologists, weed scientists, agronomists and agricultural engineers conduct research at the station to develop solutions for crop production in southeast Georgia.

“The most important thing about this station is whether you are an entomologist, a weed scientist, an agronomist, an agricultural engineer, a plant pathologist, we all do research here with Anthony Black and his team to try and find solutions to what the growers face in this area,” Kemerait says. “It’s a jewel we have hidden here.”

View the 2026 Georgia Peanut Photo Album.