Defoliation season is upon us and as such, the 2014 Mid-South Defoliation Guide has been updated and is ready for use. Those who have worked with cotton fully understand the challenges associated with defoliation. Further compounding an already difficult task
Soybean loopers are starting to show up in high numbers in many areas of the state. In many cases, soybeans are past the point where yield loss can occur, but there are many later planted soybeans that need to be protected for a while longer. Below are a few tips on when to treat and what to treat with.
This summer we had multiple conversations with producers that either irrigated or had significant rainfall events on their field, but the soil moisture sensors below the 6 inch depth never “detected” the irrigation or rainfall event (see https://www.mississippi-crops.com/2014/06/26/is-my-soil-moisture-sensor-broke/ ).
Foliar diseases of soybean continue to be observed throughout the MS soybean production area. At present, no soybean rust has been detected in MS; however, Cercospora blight and frogeye leaf spot as well as several pod diseases (topic of the next blog post) are being observed in numerous soybean fields.
Acid soils often need liming to aid crop growth and development. Fall applications provide more time for the lime to react with the soil, less stress on the human component, and better field conditions for equipment operation. Soil acidity problems
Phytotoxicity, associated with the application of some specific foliar fungicide products, has been observed in numerous commercial soybean fields again this season. Keep in mind that the symptoms associated with fungicide phytotoxicity will appear quite similar to sudden death syndrome (SDS). However, SDS only occurs in light soil classes. When scouting fields, keep in mind that an entire field with SDS-like symptoms might be the result of fungicide phytotoxicity, thus not a disease after all.
We have had numerous calls over the last couple weeks about small, 2-5 day old larvae, under bloom tags in Bt cotton that is near, at, or beyond cutout. All of the research done to this point suggests that cotton is safe from bollworm damage when it reaches node above white flower 5 plus 300 heat units.
Bollworm pheromone catches were lower again for the second consecutive week, suggesting that once control is achieved for current larval populations, a major reinfestation is unlikely. Tobacco budworm catches were also lower this week.
With harvest beginning, it is time to think about the next crop. Fall liming allows time for the soil to react before the next summer crop is planted, and takes advantage of the (usually) drier conditions for field operations. Soil
Plan to attend an upcoming Irrigation Termination Turnrow Talk on August 26, 2014 sponsored by the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board, Mississippi State University Extension Service, and stakeholder organizations of the Delta Sustainable Water Resources Task Force. Soybean producers will have
We have reached the point of the growing season where we have begun to terminate irrigation in soybean. When making this decision, the goal is to make sure that adequate soil moisture is available to ensure that the soybean seeds
As we approach the end of August, terminating cotton irrigation is on the mind of many folks. In cotton, we recommend terminating furrow irrigation at first cracked boll. If you anticipate bolls opening in the immediate future and have been
This week’s bollworm trap catches were similar to slightly higher than last week, while tobacco budworm trap catches fell slightly for the week. The trap catches are typical for this time of year, so expect moderate worm pressure in all sensitive crops.
Bean leaf beetle numbers have been increasing steadily over the last couple weeks. We have actually made bean leaf beetle targeted sprays on a number of acres in recent days. Yield loss is caused by defoliation and less frequently by
Diseases of soybean continue to be observed throughout the MS production system. At present, soybean rust has not been detected within MS; however, we continue to scout for the presence of rust, as well as additional diseases of economic importance throughout sentinel plots as well as commercial soybean fields. Frogeye leaf spot, sudden death syndrome, stem canker, and aerial blight continue to be hot topics for most soybean farmers.
We are quickly approaching that time of year where some of the earlier planted fields are turning color and others are approaching R6 vey quickly. Often times many of the insect pest we deal with “pile in” about this time and growers face the tough decision to treat when it may not pay back or try and race them to the end. We have devoted a lot of time and effort in recent years to evaluate and validate thresholds in soybeans under the current growing practices in Mississippi. Through these research efforts we have made several changes to insect thresholds and termination points for insect pest of soybeans in MS.
This week I thought I would share with you the progress of our rice irrigation studies. This summer we have three producer “on farm” irrigation trials. Each producer agreed to irrigate his field conventionally through levee gates, via side inlet,
Over the last 7 days we have had numerous reports of high bollworm numbers in some BollGard II, TwinLink, and WideStrike fields in the Mississippi Delta. We have seen fields in the past that reach treatable levels but some reports are much higher than we have seen in recent years. At this time there does not appear to be any specific varieties that are adversely affected more than others. It appears to be a function of high pressure in isolated areas at this time.
White sugarcane aphid continues to be a serious problem in grain sorghum fields across Mississippi and the Mid-South. Because this is a brand new pest, there are many questions still unanswered. The Mid-South Entomology Working Group is frantically working on
After 4 weeks of high bollworm moth catches averaging more than 75 moths/trap/week, this week has dropped down to an average catch of 35 moths/trap. This should mean that once current worm populations are controlled, a substantial reinfestation is not likely. However, tobacco
Many growers in the Mid-South apply a herbicide shortly prior to sorghum harvest to facilitate combine efficiency and suitable grain moisture. This season, this issue is even more critically important because of severe harvest problems potentially created by White Sugarcane aphid infestation. This article will discuss appropriate timing and potential outcome of such harvest aid applications.
Bollworm trap counts continue to be high in the Delta for the fourth consecutive week. Tobacco budworm counts are also fairly high in the Delta. However, the traps in the hills did not indicate as much pressure. Continue to be alert for
The last effective bloom date is the last date that a white flower will accumulate enough heat units to mature into a harvestable boll. Generally speaking it takes 850 heat units for a white flower to mature into a harvestable
The Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) crop insurance endorsement will be available to winter wheat producers in Bolivar, Coahoma, Sunflower, Tallahatchie and Washington counties for 2015. SCO was authorized in the Agricultural Act of 2014 and will provide an indemnity payment
Preliminary yield data from the 2014 MSU Wheat Variety Trials are now available. This article provides suggestions for analyzing and making variety selection decisions using this data.
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