Managing pests is critical in optimizing peanut

yield and quality. Applying combinations of agrichemicals is an efficient practice with known benefits. Producers may reduce the cost of pest management by limiting trips across the field. Fewer passes across a field is not only more convenient, it also reduces vine damage and has the potential to increase control of particular pests and broaden the spectrum of pests controlled. But tank mixing of agrichemicals has difficulties and disadvantages. Chemicals may be physically and/or biologically incompatible. Adjuvant and spray volume recommendations may differ. Certain combinations may actually reduce pest control or increase plant damage due to phytotoxicity. To choose an effective tank mixture, begin with the product label. The label is the law. Product labels provide federal regulations concerning tank mixing; always follow the more restrictive label. While farmers may legally tank mix any chemicals as long as no product label restricts tank mixing, certain tank mixtures can cause the peanut crop to suffer. Product labels do warn about some potential problems, but they do not clearly address other issues. And manufacturers do not guarantee product performance when their chemicals are used in ways other than described on the label. Peanut producers are most likely to apply combinations of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators, and/or foliar fertilizers. To make these combinations work, a producer needs to be able to predict unfavorable interactions. This publication identifies effective tank mixes based on product labels (Tables 1-4) and problems that have occurred with tank mixes applied in research trials conducted by universities in the peanut belt of the United States (Tables 5-7). Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. Growers also need to be able to take environmental conditions into consideration and adjust the spray program according to weather conditions and changing pest populations. For more in-depth information on these topics, see Peanut Information, AG-331, or the North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, AG-1.