Integrated Crop Management News

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Get the Latest Information on Performance of SCN-resistant Soybeans

December 18, 2013
Locations of ISU SCN-resistant Soybean Variety Trial Program experiments

By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Since 1990 the Iowa State University SCN-resistant Soybean Variety Trial Program has evaluated the agronomic performance and nematode control provided by hundreds of soybean varieties advertised as resistant to the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). The work is funded by the soybean checkoff through a grant from the Iowa Soybean Association.

Sample Fields for Soybean Cyst Nematode

October 25, 2013
Soil core collection

As we work to complete harvest and put the finishing touches on the 2013 growing season, it is not too early to start thinking about 2014 crops. Results of soil samples collected in the next few weeks from fields in which soybeans will be grown in 2014 could mean the difference between “so-so” and profitable yields next year.

Collecting soil cores from a field of harvested corn to check for the soybean cyst nematode.

Corn Belt Corn Crop Conditions and September Yield Forecasts – 2013

September 25, 2013

By Roger Elmore, Department of Agronomy

Crop conditions across the U.S. Corn Belt varied dramatically in 2013.  Iowa was no exception and this year sits in a rare position in terms of yield potential: lower than several other Corn Belt states.

Iowa – 2013 growing conditions

Stalk Breakage and Rot Caused by Physoderma in Iowa

September 20, 2013
Physoderma stalk breakage

By Alison Robertson, Daren Mueller, Erika Salaau-Rojas and Gary Munkvold, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology


An unusual disease has been reported in several fields in southwest and western Iowa over the past couple of weeks. Several samples were received in the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic and pathologists from ISU Extension and Outreach visited a field in Adair County.


Symptoms and signs of the disease


Identifying waterhemp and Palmer amaranth

September 3, 2013
Palmer amaranth vs. Waterhemp identifying features

By Bob Hartzler, Department of Agronomy


Several people have submitted images of escaped "pigweeds" wondering whether the plants were Palmer amaranth. In all cases, except the earlier reported situation in Harrison County, the plants in question have been waterhemp, although at casual glance they could easily be mistaken for Palmer amaranth. These cases highlight the difficulty in differentiating the two species by the general growth habit and shape of plants.


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