C.O.R.N. Newsletter 2009-40

Soybean Aphid Resistant Varieties are Coming

The past month has seen information from two seed companies on a new approach to soybean aphid management, host plant resistance.

Sygenta is releasing two soybean varieties with resistance to the aphid that uses the Rag1 gene. The varieties will be group 2.1 and 2.5 maturity, developed by traditional breeding methods. However, they will be considered transgenic varieties because they have the Roundup Ready gene. These varieties will be part of Syngenta’s Aphid Management System (AMS), which will include the aphid resistant gene, seeds treated with CruiserMaxx to aid in aphid control, and an insurance program that will pay $5 per acre for a Warrior treatment if aphids reach threshold levels. It is widely accepted that the current level of resista

Pioneer announced a program where growers will be able to choose varieties based on aphid resistance – or antibiosis – scores. Pioneer researchers score soybean varieties by the plant’s antibiosis properties, or inherent characteristics that discourage aphids from feeding and reproducing. Researchers score soybean varieties exceptional (E), above average (AA), average (A) and below average (BA) which allows growers to prioritize field scouting and insecticide application. While perhaps allowing those varieties with exceptional scores to be scouted at a lower priority than other fields, we would point out that this program does not identify lines that offer true “resistance,” just qualities that make them poorer hosts.

With both these approaches, we will still recommend that growers plan to scout fields planted with these varieties, especially during aphid outbreaks. Fields will still have the potential to reach threshold. University researchers will be conducting studies on these lines to determine their effectiveness in economically managing the soybean aphid, and whether the current threshold of 250 aphids per plant should still be used, or if it can be adjusted upwards. We will update growers on the use of these lines as more information is obtained.

 

2009 Ohio Corn Performance Test: An Overview

In 2009, 267 corn hybrids representing 37 commercial brands were evaluated in the Ohio Corn Performance Test. Testing was conducted in three regions of Ohio - Southwestern/West Central (SW/WC); Northwestern (NW); and North Central/Northeastern (NC/NE), with three test sites established within each region. Testing was also conducted at Coshocton, an area with high gray leaf spot incidence. Entries in the regional tests were planted in either an early or full season maturity trial. These test sites provided a range of growing conditions and production environments.

Growing conditions were highly favorable for corn at most test locations. The 2009 growing season was generally characterized by lower than normal temperatures, especially during flowering and early-mid grain fill. Rainfall during the critical pollination and early grain fill periods was generally above normal or near normal except at Hoytville, which experienced dry weather from the late vegetative stages through maturity. Because of cooler temperatures, crop development was slower than normal at most test sites which delayed harvest and contributed to higher than normal harvest grain moisture and lower test weights. Stalk lodging was negligible – averaging no more than 5% at any location. Diseases and insect pests were generally not a significant factor at test sites. Extensive foliar disease (primarily gray leaf spot) was evident late in the season at Washington CH and S. Charleston but impact on crop performance appeared to be limited.

Record high yields were achieved at most test locations due to ample and timely rainfall and moderate temperatures which created near stress-free growing conditions for most of the growing season. Grain yields in the Southwest and West Central region (the S. Charleston, Washington C.H., and Greenville locations), averaged across hybrid entries in the early and late trials, were nearly 240 bu/A. Yields in the Northwest region ( Van Wert, Hoytville, and Upper Sandusky locations) averaged across hybrid entries in the early and late trials, exceeded 220 bu/A. Yields in the North Central and Northeast region (the Bucyrus, Wooster, and Beloit locations) averaged across hybrid entries in the early and late trials, exceeded 230 bu/A. In addition hybrid yields at Coshocton averaged 238 bu/A. The only test location which averaged less than 200 bu/A was Hoytville in NW Ohio. Although growing conditions were drier than normal at Hoytville during much of the grain fill period (approx. mid July through early September), yields, averaged across hybrids entries in the early and late test, were 175 and 181 bu/A, respectively

Tables 1 and 2 provide an overview of 2009 hybrid performance in the early maturity and full season hybrid trials by region. Complete results are available online at:

http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/corntrials/ and https://agcrops.osu.edu/~perf/.

Averages for grain yield and other measures of agronomic performance are indicated for each region. In addition, the range in test sites averages is shown in parentheses.

Table 1. A regional overview of the early maturity 2009 Ohio Corn Performance Test.

Region	Entries	Grain Yield	Moisture	Lodging	Emergence	Final Stand	Test Wt.
		(Bu/A)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(plants/A)	(lbs/bu)
SW/WC	61	240	20.0	3	97	33900	55.6
Range		(223-256)	(18.3-21.9)	(0-22)	(93-100)	(26700-38600)	(52.9-61.0)
NW	75	220	21.0	2	94	31800	55.4
Range		(205-235)	(18.9-23.8)	(0-15)	(86-99)	(27400-37000)	(51.7-59.4)
NE/NC	69	237	22.6	0	91	31000	53.5
Range		(213-258)	(19.3-27.0)	(0-2)	(81-96)	(26100-36500)	(50.8-57.6)

Table 2. A regional overview of the full season 2009 Ohio Corn Performance Test.

Region	Entries	Grain Yield	Moisture	Lodging	Emergence	Final Stand	Test Wt.
		(Bu/A)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(plants/A)	(lbs/bu)
SW/WC	84	239	21.2	4	97	33700	54.9
Range		(205-255)	(18.8-23.8)	(0-33)	(90-99)	(29200-39100)	(51.7-58.0)
NW	111	222	23.2	1	95	32300	53.9
Range		(200-238)	(20.6-25.8)	(0-13)	(86-99)	(27600-37400)	(51.8-58.9)
NE/NC	70	229	26.0	0	93	31700	52.2
Range		(204-247)	(22.5-28.6)	(0-9)	(83-97)	(25900-35700)	(50.1-57.2)

 

2009 Central Ohio Agronomy Day

The Central Ohio Agronomy Day Conference slated for Friday, December 18, 2009 at The Ohio State University/Central Ohio Technical College-Newark Campus will offer an opportunity for certified crop advisors to receive as much as 7 hours of continuing education credit and progressive crop farmers and agronomy service personnel to get technical updates from leading industry and university experts. The program will get underway in Founders Hall at 8:45 a.m. Program offering on managing nutrient placement with RTK guidance, soil and crop root interdependence, evaluation of vertical tillage systems, starter fertilizer additives, evaluating base saturations in making liming recommendations as well as new information about the value of biotech events in seeds for weed and insect control in Ohio.

The conference will also offer private and commercial pesticide credits. Up to 1½ hours will be offered in pesticide credits at a cost of $10.00 for private applicators and $15.00 for commercial applicators. The cost of the base fee for the conference is $20.00 with advance registration and $25.00 at the door. Pesticide credits are extra. The cost includes program materials and lunch.

The event is sponsored by OSU Extension – Licking County. Further information can be gained by phoning 740-670-5315 or a brochure with registration form may be downloaded at: http://licking.osu.edu/topics/agriculture-and-natural-resources/page-links/CentralOhioAgronomyDay2009.pdf

Ohio Crop Production Conference and Advanced Agronomy Workshop

January 7 and 8th provides two agronomic events you will not want to miss. The Ohio Crop Production Conference on January 7th features presentation topics of The truth about the Hypoxia Zone, Fertilizing for the future of corn, Global Germplasm, Managing Herbicide Systems, Managing Risk Given High Input Cost and Commodity Prices, Insects of Concern in 2010, Using Nitrogen Efficiently and Diseases in Corn, Soybean and Wheat. The program starts up at 9:00 adjourns at 3:30.

January 8th is the Advanced Agronomy Workshop with topics of Water Quality and AG, Emerging Issues in Biofuels and Implications for Agronomist, Trangenic Insect Control Getting the most Bang for Your Buck, Disease Identification, Yield Components of Soybean and Wheat and Estimation of Yields plus Comparison of Field Plot Designs and Interpretation of Data. The program time is 8:30 to 3:30.

Both programs will be held at the Fawcett Center located on The Ohio State University Campus. The Crop Production Conference registration is $75 per person and Advanced Agronomy School is $100 or if registering for both the cost is $165.More detailed agenda and registration information can be found at http://associationdatabase.com/aws/OABA/pt/sd/calendar/3751/_PARENT/layout_details/false

January Regional Agronomic Topic Meetings

Other agronomy program are planned for around the state with the following events scheduled in January. If you would like to find out more about these events got to https://agcrops.osu.edu/calendar/

January 11
West Ohio Agronomy Day
Start Time: 9am
Sidney American Legion Hall
1265 Fourth Avenue
Sidney, 45365
937-498-7239
http://shelby.osu.edu

Janaury 11
West Ohio Agronomy Day-Evening Program
Start Time: 6 pm
Sidney American Legion Hall
1265 Fourth Avenue
Sidney, 45365
937-498-7239
http://shelby.osu.edu

January 12
Agronomy Day
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Fairfield County Ag Center
831 College Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
740-653-5419
http://fairfield.osu.edu

January 19
Conservation Tillage Breakfast Program Series
Start Time: 7:30 a.m.
Plaza Inn in Mt. Victory
491 S. Main Street
Mt. Victory, Ohio 43340
419-674-2297
http://hardin.osu.edu

January 21
Corn/Soybean Day
Start Time: 8:30 am
Founder’s Hall at Sauder Farm and Craft Village
22611 St Rt 2
Archbold
419-337-9210
http://fulton.osu.edu

Janaury 21
2010 Putnam County Agronomy Night
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Kalida Knights of Columbus Hall
718 Napoleon RD
Kalida, OH 45853
419-523-6294
http://putnam.osu.edu

January 28
Clark Agronomy Day
Start Time: 8:00
Clark State Community College - LRC Building
570 East Leffel Lane
Springfield, OH 45505
937-328-4607
http://clark.osu.edu