Parson, Kansas —
As is often the case, June rains were both a blessing and a curse for farmers. One problem stemming from the moisture is gray leaf spot that has been building in corn fields in northeast and north central Kansas, according to Kansas State University Research and Extension plant pathologist Doug Jardine.
"Rains earlier in June allowed the disease to gain a foothold in the lower canopy and it is beginning to move upward in some fields. One field in Pottawatomie County had lesions on the ear leaf, and pollination had not begun yet," he said.
Gray leaf spot lesions tend to be rectangular, Jardine said, adding that early lesions are small, brown spots with yellow haloes that gradually expand to full-sized lesions. Expanding lesions are initially tan and later turn gray on the underside of the leaf during moist conditions.
A spray calculator to assist in fungicide application decisions is available on the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics Agmanager.info Website: www.agmanager. info/crops/prodecon/decision/CropSpray.swf.
Producers can put in their own data to determine whether or not a fungicide application might be profitable.
"Many fields that are planted to more resistant hybrids, especially when rotation and tillage are used, probably would not reach the breakeven level," Jardine said.
Products containing both a strobiluron and a triazole mode of action work well, he added. Those currently registered in Kansas include Headline AMP, Quilt, Quilt Xcel and Stratego.
Crops
Gray leaf spot found in Kansas corn 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
