Parson, Kansas —
The presence of corn earworms in soybeans has been making Doug Shoup’s telephone ring lately.
“This is not something new — we get it every year,” the K-State southeast area Extension agronomist says. “It just seems like we have higher numbers than usual this year in soybeans across the state of Kansas.”
Shoup has his own hypothesis as to why farmers are noticing corn earworms — also known as headworms in sorghum and soybean pod worms, — in soybeans.
“We used to have a lot of milo and they fed on it. However, now, we have a lot of early season corn which is dried down by the time they would be feeding on it,” he explains. “So, what is left that is growing and green and lush? Soybeans.”
Although corn earworms can cause some leaf damage to soybeans, Shoup reminds producers that they need to be more concerned about them getting on the pods and chewing them off.
According to K-State research, corn earworm damage to soybeans occurs from August through September. Significant damage may occur when large larvae feed on pods consuming the developing seeds. Fields should be checked from beginning bloom for small worms.
“The threshold on whether to treat or not is one corn earworm per foot of soybean row,” Shoup says. “They are much easier to control when they are smaller — less than an inch in length.”
Corn earworms that measure an inch to and inch and a half are harder to control due to the fact that they are about done with their life cycle.
According to Shoup, there are several insecticides available to aid in the control of corn earworms.
“Just be sure to check the label for rates,” he says.
Shoup urges producers to get out and do some scouting in fields to see if corn earworms are a problem for them.
“Due to the fact we are seeing higher numbers of corn earworms we kind of need to be on the lookout for them in our soybeans,” he says. “Their pattern can be somewhat erratic and it will vary on a field-to-field basis as to whether control measures are needed.”
Crops
Corn earworms showing up in soybean fields
- Crops
-
-
Unpredictable weather requires corn management
Bob Nielsen suggested that corn growers should look at a variety of management techniques to give crops the best chance at success - regardless of the weather.
-
Herbicides affected by spray water pH
A series of studies at Purdue University has shown that spray water pH and hardness can reduce the effectiveness of herbicides, making it vitally important for crop producers to test water sources.
-
Assessing winter wheat for spring nitrogen application
Wheat requires good growth in both the fall and spring to realize its yield potential. In the fall, the wheat plant needs to develop a vigorous root system and several healthy tillers.
-
Warm weather should not harm Kansas wheat crop
Jim Shroyer, Research and Extension agronomist at Kansas State University, says that despite the warm temperatures, winter wheat still has winterhardiness and can withstand colder weather.
-
Post-drought forage recovery discussed
The extreme heat and drought last summer not only took their toll on producers but also on cropland and pastureland.
-
Mild weather causes concern for wheat crop
Unusually mild and wet conditions in December and early January caused wheat to green up and created concern about whether the wheat is more susceptible to cold injury if temperatures were to drop sharply.
-
USDA decodes corn defenses for improved pest resistance
A clearer picture of corn's biochemical responses to insect and fungal attacks is emerging.
-
Farmers show optimism for 2012 Kan. wheat crop
Rain and snow events the last two weeks of December have put the 2012 Kansas wheat crop in good shape.
-
Wheat growers should address top-dress needs
Wheat producers should be making plans to accurately assess their crops’ topdress nitrogen requirements.
-
MU specialist discusses using wheat straw as an alternative winter feed
Wheat straw is not a high protein or energy source, but if supplemented properly it can be used for bred cows in five and six body condition scores.
- More Crops Headlines
-
Unpredictable weather requires corn management
