Resist Mudding in Corn... or at Least Try to Minimize Problems when you Do

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

Visible slot from planting.
Undamaged corn in the field is at tassel/silking,
but the plants with sidewall compaction
are not close to tassel.

The wet weather and calendar increase the urge to get back into the fields earlier. Getting into the field "one day too soon" can result in sidewall compaction and/or surface compaction that will put the corn crop further behind all season.

Below are some images that serve as reminders of what happens when fields are planted too wet.

It is Not Too Late to Sample Fields for Soybean Cyst Nematode

Don Hershman, Plant Pathologist, University of Kentucky

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most widespread and damaging disease pest of soybean in Kentucky. It is my opinion that SCN is the main cause of the so-called, “yield ceiling” that is evident in many Kentucky soybean fields.

Brazilian no-till leaders present UK with bust of Shirley Phillips | UK College of Agriculture News

Brazilian no-till leaders present UK with bust of Shirley Phillips | UK College of Agriculture News

Corn Planting and Fluctuating Temperatures

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

Corn planting is a little behind in 2013, but that does not mean that we will have low yields. Corn planting was behind in 2011 and 2009, but overall statewide average yields were excellent both years. Corn planting was way ahead in 2012 and overall state yields were some of the worst in recent history.

An excellent article was written about the planting date conundrum in Indiana. Here in Kentucky, we see a similar conundrum. Recently, I asked producers across the state to send me planting date and corn yield data from their operations. They sent me corn planting dates and yields from 2003 through 2012 (Figure 1). The data would indicate that the best planting dates for Kentucky would be from about the last week of April through the third week in May. Who is going to believe that?!

Armyworm & Cutworm Moth Flights Rather Ordinary

Doug Johnson, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky

Black cutworm moth

Capture of both armyworm and cutworm moths have decreased during the previous trap week. At present the data indicate that neither pest is set for a big outbreak. Of course this can change especially if we get a sustained week of good weather. This does not mean that there are no pests around, there certainly are. Nevertheless, flight patterns compared to the rolling five year average do not show any sign of an elevated risk of outbreak.


 

Armyworm moth

Even though we have a good outlook for the short term we still need to remember that “only about 15 percent of corn has been planted which is well behind last year’s 73 percent and the five year average of 32 percent” (KY Weekly Crop & Weather Report Apr. 22, 2013). Remember, both black cutworm and armyworm are migrating to KY from more southern states, and the timing of their migrations are dependent upon temperature just as are planting and corn development. So it is still very possible that larger populations of either or both of these pests could show up in the early vegetative stages of corn development.So, for the moment things look good, but one best pay attention to future developments.

Tracking moth flights isn’t your only preparation option. With both insects but black cutworm in particular providing a weed free seed bed for at least two weeks prior to planting can make a big difference. Early preplant herbicide programs have shown a positive impact in the prevention of cutworm and common stalk borer infestations. Removing weeds especially grass weeds by whatever mechanism, ahead of planning is a good strategy for these early arriving insects.

Keep an Eye Out for Stripe Rust in Wheat

Although there have not been any reports about finding stripe rust in Kentucky wheat, the disease is present in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Last night, a storm system rolled through west Kentucky from south to north, and stripe rust spores likely moved into the state. The cool weather will support infection, since the disease likes cool weather. This situation is not cause for great alarm, primarily because temperatures should warm pretty quicky and this will slow further development. Still, some fields might be at risk and it is, therefore, a good idea to scout your wheat throughout the heading period to discern if a rust-targeted fungicide spray is needed. If you choose not to scout and wait until early flowering to apply a fungicide targeting Head Scab, stripe rust may not be adequately controlled.

This is really just a "heads up"; NOT a call to general action. So far, wheat diseases are pretty minimal in KY.

Armyworm Flight Begins

Doug Johnson, Extension Entomologist

 

  Figure 1. Armyworm moth Spring must really be here as armyworm (aka true armyworm) moths have taken flight. Only a few moths have been captured thus far, but it does signal the beginning of insect season in the field crops and the current year’s capture is in line with the outbreak year of 2008. It is still too early to get real excited but important enough to be aware.

In Kentucky, armyworm can be an important pest of corn and wheat. Corn products that contain a Bt trait that provides protection from caterpillar feeding (See: Insecticide recommendations for corn:   http://pest.ca.uky.edu/EXT/Recs/ENT16-Field%20corn.pdf, pages 6-7) will likely be protected. However, non-Bt types including field corn refuge, popcorn, food-grade corns, and sweetcorn along with wheat will be at risk.

We are several weeks from any damage caused by armyworm as the adult moth is not the damaging stage. Monitoring this stage just gives us a “biofix” or heads-up that the pest is about. It is the caterpillar in which we are interested. You may want to check the flight graphs each week for the progress in this population. These may be found at:  http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPM/ipm.htm. It only takes a few seconds to check and this can give you an idea of the relative risk of this pest for this season. On the graph you can see displayed the current year’s capture (green), the rolling five-year average (blue), and known populations that have resulted in outbreaks (red and/or black) This will give you a rough estimate of the current year’s relative risk. As these graphs represent moth flight, the relative population size can be seen before the damaging stage, the caterpillar, develops.

If populations appear to be indicating an elevated risk, I will use a temperature-based model to predict when the caterpillar stage will appear. This model will NOT predict which fields will be infested. One must scout fields to know if the armyworm is present, but the model will provide an estimate of when the field should be scouted. Remember, the model predictions will be based on the capture and temperatures at the UK-REC in Princeton (Caldwell Co.) KY. In areas to the south and southwest of the UK-REC caterpillar development will be ahead and areas to the north and northeast of the UK-REC will be a bit behind.  I will post, and you may review, the results of these model runs each week in this publication. So, if you are the pest manager for wheat or corn this spring, keep yourself tuned to this outlet for “Early Warnings” about this pest.