Care with Plant Nutrient Analysis
Producers may wonder whether plant growth is affected by nutrient deficiency or if climatic and soil factors are causing the problem. This article summarizes key points to consider with plant analysis.
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Producers may wonder whether plant growth is affected by nutrient deficiency or if climatic and soil factors are causing the problem. This article summarizes key points to consider with plant analysis.
By Andy Lenssen, Department of Agronomy
Although drought typically is an infrequent occurrence in Iowa, 2012 has been an exception to the rule. Winter, spring and early summer precipitation has been below long-term average, and soybeans in some areas of the state are experiencing periodic water stress due to inadequate available water content in upper soil depths. Farmers have asked whether drought stress early in the season can influence yield if precipitation levels approach long-term average later in the season.
Goss's wilt was found recently on plants in Iowa and Nebraska. If you are scouting for Goss's wilt, focus your attention on fields that are planted to susceptible hybrids, have a history of the disease, have surface corn residue, and have been recently injured by sever weather.
Determining whether plant-parasitic nematodes are present in high enough numbers to cause damage and yield loss to corn is difficult. Multiple nematode species are usually present in a field, and the number of nematodes necessary to cause damage can vary from field to field. A new approach has been developed to assess the overall likelihood of damage occurring based on the nematode species and numbers present and the conditions of the field. This article explains the basics of the new system.
Corn producers might see yellowing leaves above the canopy. The symptom is not unusual in fast-growing corn; leaves should unfurl and turn turn green within a few days.
Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) will host a field day (2012 Field Day Guide) at the Mark Mueller farm near Waverly on Thursday, June 14, beginning at 11 a.m. the field day will focus on no-till conservation farming and crop residue management for optimum results.
The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) continues to cause serious soybean yield losses in Iowa and throughout the Midwest. It is easy to identify SCN infestations in the field during the growing season by checking soybean roots for the presence of SCN females. This article discusses the benefits of checking soybean roots in fields planted with susceptible and SCN-resistant soybean varieties.
Some corn and soybean fields are showing potassium (K) deficiency symptoms, most likely caused by dry topsoil due to low rainfall during late May and early June. Learn more about what can be done for the current crop.
Iowa's mild winter has accelerated insect development across the state. Recent sightings include soybean aphids, Japanese beetle adults, black cutworm, European corn borers, and corn earworm.