A few years ago clethodim was rarely used in Tennessee but in the last couple of years that has really changed. Clethodim has become the tankmix of choice with glyphosate to control glyphosate-resistant (GR) ryegrass, johnsongrass, goosegrass and in some areas, barnyardgrass. Continue reading
A reminder that moth trapping data for corn earworm, tobacco budworm, and southwestern corn borer are posted weekly on this website. Look for “Moth Trapping Data” on the quick links menu to open an Excel file with the trapping data. Moth catches were low for all species last week.
There have been a number of calls where folks have asked my thoughts on “creative” PRE applied herbicides for soybeans. Continue reading
The first reports of small Palmer amaranth escaping PPO and glyphosate tankmixes started today (5/13/16). Continue reading
JACKSON, Tenn. – Neonicotinoid seed treatments provide significant economic benefits in Mid-South soybean production, according to a 10-year study conducted by scientists from four universities.
The results of the meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, come as neonicotinoids, a widely-adopted class of insecticides, face increased scrutiny from both environmental groups fearing their impact on pollinators and regulators who question the economic advantage they provide. Neonicotinoids are currently being reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Continue reading
Based on planting reports, we look to have more true ‘early’ beans than we have had in the past three or four years. A cool front this week and nighttime temps down in the forties have had folks ask about effects on soybean. Soybeans are pretty tolerant to air temps above 45 F after emergence, but are sometimes affected through chilling if soil temperatures are cold enough at the wrong time. Chilling injury is most likely when soil temperatures are cold (less than 50°F) at planting rather than becoming cold 24 hours or more afterwards. The longer the seed is in the ground at warm soil temperatures before cold temperatures occur, the less likely we are to have chilling injury. Chilling injury appears as swelled seed that may sprout but the hypocotyl fails to elongate. Sometimes plants will emerge but are smaller and less thrifty in appearance or stand is reduced.
If you are planting into heavy residue (i.e. cover crops), check soil temp prior to planting if you are concerned about cooler temperatures. As long as temperatures are around 50°F or higher at planting depth for 24-48 hours after planting there should be no seed injury due to cold temperature. Delaying planting until mid/late morning will give ground time to warm up a bit during this cool front. Fortunately, our cool weather episodes have been transient and our lows haven’t been all that low for crops like corn or soybean. Of course, a good fungicide and insecticide seed treatment will help protect stand in cooler and variable soil conditions.
All the cover crops planted last year has led to many calls on management this year. One of the most common calls is do herbicides applied to heavy and, on occasion, sometimes still very green cover get to the soil so they can provide residual Palmer amaranth control? Continue reading
There have been a lot of questions this spring about planting into green cover crops. We have conducted a fair amount of research on this at Jackson and through trial and error we have found that planting into a green cover crop can be done effectively. Controlling and properly managing the cover crop are the most important things to consider when planting in a green cover (termination 0-7 days prior to planting). Less than complete control of your cover can cause stunting or stand loss of cash crop. Continue reading