Integrated Crop Management News

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Selecting Nozzles for Postemergence Herbicides

February 15, 2016

An earlier ICM News article discussing affects of nozzle type and size on spray coverage prompted a question from a farmer regarding nozzle selection. In recent years there have been many advances in nozzle design. The primary improvement has been development of nozzles that minimize the formation of driftable droplets (< 200 micron) while still producing a droplet spectrum that provides the level of coverage required for consistent, postemergence weed control.

Managing Two Soybean Pests to Optimize Yield

February 11, 2016
Effectiveness of Aphid-resistant soybeans graph

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and soybean aphid (SBA) are important soybean pests in the north-central region. Soybean varieties with host plant resistance for SCN (PI88788) and SBA (Rag1) can suppress pest populations and subsequently protect yield. In addition, seed treatments are becoming widely adopted and now can include a nematicide, fungicides and insecticide. Combining host plant resistance with seed treatments could potentially further protect yield.

Spray Volume is Critical for Postemergence Herbicides

February 10, 2016
Effect of nozzle type and size on driftable droplets

Proper herbicide application is critical to ensure products achieve their full potential for weed control.  For postemergence herbicides, this includes application to appropriately sized weeds and equipping the sprayer to achieve uniform coverage of target weeds.