As of this today (July 24), the bollworm moth flight has not kicked off. Traditionally, we will start seeing a significant increase next week or the first week of August. This year, I expect to see a gradual increase but an extended flight because of the wide range of corn planting dates.
Bollworm resistance to some Bt toxins (Cry1 and Cry2) in Bt cotton is now well documented Continue reading
An update on soybean disease scouting from Dr. Heather Kelly. Watch to the end for info on Soybean Disease Field Day.
This video features Heather Kelly discussing diseases to look out for in cotton fields this summer. A follow up to previous article, Cotton Diseases – what to be on the lookout for.
The calendar says late July, but the chill on the wind this morning made it seem like we had to be deep enough into the football schedule for a solid SEC football match-up on Saturday. This blog covers a few points concerning cotton growth under mid-season daytime and nighttime temperatures between 85 and 65 following excessive rainfall. Continue reading
As seen in previous news.utcrops.com blog articles both insects and weather are impacting cotton (Crunch Time for Cotton Insects and Cotton response to saturated soils in West TN), and this article discusses the diseases (fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens) that may also be impacting cotton. Continue reading
SCATTERED RAIN AND THUNDERSHOWERS SLOW HAY HARVEST
Remnants of Hurricane turned Tropical Storm Barry brought rain and thunderstorms to the State, especially West Tennessee. The rains were slow to or did not run-off bottom land but improved conditions of crops planted on higher ground. Though the hay crop is ready for another cutting, rains kept producers out of the field waiting for more favorable conditions. Crop spraying occurred as weather permitted. Some tobacco was topped and sucker control applied. The rain, combined with sometimes oppressive heat, helped pastures but
kept cattle in search of shaded areas. There were only 3.8 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. You can read the entire Tennessee Crop Weather report at: TN Crop Weather 07_22_19. You can also read the latest national crop progress report at: US Crop Progress 07_22_2019.
Authors: Avat Shekoofa and Tyson Raper
Reports of ‘sudden wilt’, ‘parawilt’, or ‘wet wilt’ began Wednesday afternoon and continued through Thursday. This article briefly explains the phenomena and discusses management during recovery.
The 3-4 weeks after first bloom, and typically the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August, is a critical window to scout and manage insect pests. This is when we are setting the bolls that will contribute most to yield, and it’s also a time insects are most attracted to the crop (with plenty of susceptible fruiting structures to feed on). Most of the comments in this article will focus on plant bug and stink bug management. However, bollworm management will become a bigger factor by the end of the month. I’ll hit on that topic Continue reading