In a previous blog, we referred to recent research that showed fall-applied grass residual herbicides providing good ryegrass control well into the spring. In particular, that research showed that Command, Boundary and the pyroxasulfone based herbicides (Anthem Flex, Zidua) provided the best ryegrass control. Continue reading
We have been busy getting corn harvested and cover crops ready for planting over here! As you start thinking about which cover crop species/varieties you’d like to try this year, take a look at the latest data from our Southern Cover Crop Variety Trial. This trial covers a broad region of the Southeast, with sites in TN, KY, AR, NC, SC, VA, AL, GA, FL, and TX.
This year we evaluated 20 varieties, including 1 brassica, 9 cereals, and 10 legumes. These included the following species, with number of varieties evaluate indicated in parentheses: daikon radish (1 ), cereal rye (2 ), oat (6 ), triticale (1), balansa clover (1), berseem clover (1), crimson clover (3), Persian clover (1), red clover (1), common vetch (1), and hairy vetch (1).
Establishment, cover crop cover and weed suppression during the growing season, and biomass, height, nitrogen release, and forage nutritive value at an early spring (pre-corn) and late spring (pre-soybean) evaluation date were evaluated for each entry. Methods used to evaluate and analyze these data and graphs of environmental conditions at each site during the cover crop growing season can be found in the 2024 Southern Cover Crop Variety Trial Report Final pdf version of the report. Result tables are listed in the pdf or as a separate download in excel.
We hope you find this data useful in your search for the best cover crop species/varieties to fit your location and your growing system!
The 2024 UT Cotton Tour is NEXT WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11 at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center (605 Airways Blvd, Jackson, TN 38305). Pesticide recertification and CCA points will be available. Tulum will be catering lunch for us.
We will be spraying a defoliation demo tomorrow at the experiment station that will be along the tour route. Additionally, we will have presentations from Dr. Sebe Brown on insect control, Dr. Larry Steckel on weed control, Dr. Heather Kelly on diseases, Dr. Avat Shekoofa on irrigation response, and Dr. Nutifafa Adotey on a fertility update. I’m very happy to report the slate of speakers will again include Dr. Jake McNeal, our new Corn and Soybean Specialist who started last spring. He will make a few comments about a few of the research trials he has established at WTREC and some preliminary results from a soybean desiccation study. The agenda for the event can be found by following this link. Look forward to seeing you there!
Ryegrass has become a serous weed issue in some fields the past couple of years. A major reason for this is that much of it is now glyphosate-resistant. Even if clethodim is used rather than glyphosate often it is applied on ryegrass sometime in late March through April when the grass is too well established to provide consistent control. Continue reading
The two best fall-applied options for ryegrass and poa control in wheat are Anthem Flex and Zidua. Pyroxasulfone is providing the grass control in both these herbicides. Anthem Flex can be applied as a true PRE right behind the press wheel. Keep in mind there is some chance of wheat injury from this use if a rain occurs shortly after planting. As such, if rain is in the forecast wait and apply it later as a delayed PRE or early POST. Continue reading
Practically every September some growers are dismayed at the vine infestations present at corn harvest. Often, these weed infestations emerged after PRE applied or early POST applied herbicides had played out. They grew very little until August and as the corn dried down and light became more available those established weeds started rapidly growing. Continue reading
Corn harvest is upon us in Tennessee and we have had a few calls about scouting for ear rots and managing mycotoxins. Continue reading
