In This Issue:
Bean Leaf Beetle in Late Maturing Soybeans
Authors: Ron Hammond, Bruce Eisley
Just last week, we received reports of extremely large bean leaf beetle populations on later planted soybeans in northern Ohio that averaged 10-20 adult beetles PER SWEEP. This is between 100 to 200 or more per 10 sweep sample. These numbers are extremely large! Soybeans that were sampled were in the late R5 stages, where seeds are still filling their upper pods. Growers are strongly advised to continue monitoring those soybean fields that are still green and will remain so for a few weeks for the presence of bean leaf beetles. Although defoliation is no longer the major worry, injury to the pod is a concern because of both potential yield and quality loss. This concern is especially important with food grade soybeans and those being grown for seed, both situations where seed quality is an issue. However, fields that still filling pods are at also risk for yield losses. If populations are high, beetles are still active and continuing to feed, and pod injury has reached 10% and is relatively new feeding, treatment is warranted to prevent further pod damage. Growers should be careful with their insecticide choice because of the shorter time period from application to harvest.
Evaluation of Bt Technology and Insecticides for Rootworm Larval Control
Authors: Bruce Eisley, Ron Hammond, Peter Thomison
Trials were conducted in 2006 at the OARDC Western Agricultural Research Station near South Charleston, OH to evaluate Bt rootworm technology and insecticides for their ability to control rootworm larvae. The trials were planted in an area that was planted to corn in late May and early June 2005. In late July 2006, plants were randomly dug from each of the treatments, the soil washed from the root systems and the roots evaluated for rootworm injury using the 0-3 Node Injury Scale. When using the 0-3 scale, 0.00 = no damage to the root system, 1.00 = one node (or the equivalent of one node) removed from the root system, 2.00 = two nodes or the equivalent removed from the root system and 3.00 = three nodes or the equivalent removed from the root system.
One trial had ten insecticides (including granules, liquids and seed treatments) and a YieldGard Rootworm hybrid (Dekalb DKC61-68) that were evaluated for their ability to control rootworm larvae. The insecticides were applied to Dekalb DKC61-72 an isoline of Dekalb DKC61-68. Rootworm injury was very heavy in this trial with the untreated averaging 1.81 on the 0-3 scale. All of the treatments in the YGRW trial had significantly less rootworm injury as compared to the untreated check. Complete information about this trial can be found on the web at: http://entomology.osu.edu/ag/reports/06si.pdf. Counts of lodged plants and yields will be made from this trial later this fall.
Another trial was conducted at the Western to evaluate Herculex rootworm technology. In this trial, two Herculex hybrids containing the Bt-rootworm trait Mycogen 2G777 (HxRW) and Mycogen 2P788 (HxXTRA) against a hybrid without this trait, Mycogen 2784 for their ability to control rootworm larvae. Insecticides were not evaluated in this trial. Rootworm injury was also very heavy in this trial with the untreated averaging 1.89 on the 0-3 scale. The two Herculex hybrids had significantly less rootworm larval injury as compared to the untreated check and complete information about this trial can be found on the web at: http://entomology.osu.edu/ag/reports/06hxrw.pdf. The number of lodged plants will be counted later this fall in this trial.
In a third evaluation, effects of seeding rate and early season defoliation on the performance of hybrids with and without Bt rootworm resistance were investigated. Three Bt rootworm resistant hybrids (two Yieldgard hybrids and one Herculex hybrid) and their conventional isolines (non-rootworm resistant hybrid counterparts) were planted at four seeding rates targeting populations of 24,000, 30,000, 36,000, and 42,000 plants/A. Plants were defoliated at the 4 to 5 leaf collar stage (V4-V5). The Herculex and YieldGard hybrids exhibited significantly less rootworm larval injury than the conventional isolines. On the 0 to 3 scale, rootworm injury for the three Bt rootworm hybrids ranged from 0.07 to 0.55, whereas injury for the conventional isolines ranged from 1.01 to 1.81. Root lodging associated with rootworm injury was significant greater in the conventional isolines and was more pronounced at high plant populations. Root lodging was less evident in the defoliated corn. However, only one of the conventional isolines showed root lodging exceeding 10%. Silk clipping was rated visually using a scale where 1=0-25%, 2=26-50%, 3=51-75%, 4=76-100% of silks clipped. Silk clipping averaged 1.3 for the Bt rootworm resistant hybrids compared to 2.7 for the conventional isolines.
Salvaging Downed Corn
Authors: Peter Thomison, Allen Geyer
During the past two weeks, cornfields across Ohio have been subjected to major rains storms and some storms have been associated with strong winds. Last Monday a tornado caused localized damage to fields in Pickaway County - flattening corn in at least one field. For such injury, how much yield loss could be expected? For corn planted in April, most of the affected corn is well into the dent stage - perhaps only one to two weeks away from kernel black layer (when the kernel achieves maximum dry weight). Therefore, it's unlikely that the severe root lodging at this late grain fill stage had a major direct impact on grain yield (probably less than 10% yield loss).
However, significant field losses may occur when harvesting downed corn. Timing of harvest, proper combine calibration, special header attachments and safety will be especially important. The following is information addressing this topic from Iowa State University Extension "Reducing Harvest Losses in Lodged Corn Fields":
http://ces.ca.uky.edu/lyon/anr/Reducing%20Harvest%20Losses%20in%20Lodged%20Corn%20Fields.htm
An article by Dr. Greg Roth at Penn State University entitled "Wind Damage Management in Corn" is available online at website:
http://cornandsoybeans.psu.edu/winddamagemanagement.cfm
Greg's website lists a few companies that sell corn harvesting equipment for wind damaged corn:
http://cornandsoybeans.psu.edu/lodgeequipment.cfm
Hessian Fly Safe Planting Dates
Authors: Bruce Eisley, Ron Hammond
This is a reminder for wheat growers to plant their wheat after the Hessian Fly Safe date for your county. The following web site gives the fly safe date for all of Ohio: http://entomology.osu.edu/ag/545/sgihf.pdf
These dates vary beginning on September 22 for northern counties to October 5 for the southern most counties. Planting within the first 10 days after this date ensures the proper planting time to avoid not only problems from the Hessian fly, but also disease problems from barley yellow dwarf virus and several foliar diseases. Planting before these dates has lowered yield by 7 to 20% in research trials due to diseases and insect problems.
Organic Field Crop Field Day
Authors: Alan Sundermeier
Transitional and Organic grain research September 7, 2006, 1 - 3 pm , OARDC , West Badger Farm, Wooster, Ohio. This program is free and open to the public. Topics include: Organic corn variety trial, Biological buffering project, alfalfa potato leaf hopper experiment, organic wheat/soybean doublecropping, field crop transition experiment, and Japanese soybean project. Also this year there is a topic on specialty small grains: hard wheat, spelt, high oil oats, and organic soybean seed treatment.
Directions: From U.S. 250 go north 1.8 miles on CR 44 (Apple Creek Rd.) or from U.S. 30 go south 1.1 miles on CR 44. Look for OFFER sign on west side of road between Ely and Secrest road.
Sponsored by Organic Food & Farming Education & Research, OARDC. For more information call 330-202-3528.
Consultants Can Attend CNMP Provider Training
Authors: Natalie Rector, Greg LaBarge
Sound nutrient management is not a concept that is limited by state boundaries. Regardless of where they live or what their state requires of farmers, farm consultants, technical service providers, professional engineers and agency staff members can acquire the necessary skills to develop comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMPs) during a Nov. 7-9 training program at the Holiday Inn, Lima, Ohio.
The information presented here will be relevant for many states. “For example, any livestock producer who wants EQIP cost-share funds will have to complete a CNMP, so this training will be useful for plan providers from any state,” says Natalie Rector, MSU Extension nutrient management specialist and the course coordinator.
Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue University Extensions along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are working together to provide CNMP development training. After attending the training, participants will be equipped to educate farmers about how CNMPs can minimize the environmental impacts of animal operations and how they can use manure nutrients for crop production.
During the three-day class, this team will provide practical, hands-on instruction and tips for successful plan development. All of the components required by the NRCS for producers to qualify for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) cost-share funds will be covered. A sample dairy CNMP will be available for review.
The class will run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The $375 registration fee includes materials, breaks and lunch each day. The registration deadline is Oct. 6, after that the fee will be $450 and there will be no on-site registration. For more details and a registration form, visit:
http://www.msue.msu.edu/objects/content_revision/download.cfm/item_id.343979/workspace_id.212414/CNMP%20Training.pdf/
For additional information contact Rector at 269-781-0908 or Greg La Barge at OSU Extension at 419-337-9210. This class may receive national NRCS approval, call closer to the time of the event to learn more details. CCA continuing education credits will also be available for attendees.
FSR CCA College - Registration Closes September 8
Authors: Harold Watters
Again this year we want to encourage you to attend the Farm Science Review. Plan now to participate in a program targeting Certified Crop Advisors (CCA) and field agronomists.
The Ohio State University Agronomic Crops Team in cooperation with Purdue University will be presenting the Certified Crop Adviser program at the Review.
The program will start at 8AM on Thursday of the Farm Science Review, September 21st, and end at noon followed by a lunch. During the program and afterwards over lunch you will have time for interaction with other CCAs and a chance to ask questions of the Ohio State University and Purdue University specialists.
Registration is open now but closes September 8th:
For the CCA continuing education credits, meal, a parking pass, a ticket to the Farm Science Review and access to some of Indiana and Ohio’s best state specialists, we will charge $70. Registration is limited, please register now through September 8th; no registrations will be taken after that date.
To register on-line click on the “Farm Science Review CCA College” box in the upper right hand corner of the OSU Extension Agronomic Crops Team Website - https://agcrops.osu.edu/. We can also mail or fax a registration form if you wish; for more information call Harold Watters at the Champaign County Extension office 937 484-1526 or email watters.35@osu.edu.
State Specialists: Ann Dorrance and Pierce Paul (Plant Pathology), Jeff Stachler (Weed Science), Ron Hammond and Bruce Eisley (Entomology) and Peter Thomison (Corn Production). Extension Agents: Harold Watters (Champaign), Glen Arnold (Putnam), Roger Bender (Shelby), Steve Foster (Darke), Howard Siegrist (Licking), Steve Bartels (Butler), Ed Lentz (Seneca), Bruce Clevenger (Defiance), Alan Sundermeier (Wood), Mike Gastier (Huron), Greg La Barge (Fulton), and Keith Diedrick (Wayne).