Integrated Crop Management News

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Tracking Tar Spot in Corn 2018

Cases of tar spot in corn have been reported over recent weeks in 12 Iowa counties. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach plant pathologists have been able to confirm the presence of tar spot in four counties via the Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Agronomists and collaborators have confirmed the remaining cases throughout the state. The current counties with confirmed tar spot presence include: Jones, Jackson, Johnson, Muscatine, Fayette, Clayton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Clinton, Scott, Grundy and Chickasaw counties.

Harvest Considerations to Reduce Weed Seed Movement

Harvest is just around the corner for many Iowa farmers and now is a good time to consider options to reduce movement of weed seed between fields with harvest equipment. While we may not think of it during harvest time, combines are extremely effective at transporting seed from field to field. A few precautions leading up to harvest and during harvest can help manage any escaped problem weeds.

Reflecting on SCN in Iowa Through the Years

Perceptions about SCN in Iowa have changed over the decades - from grave concern over severe damage in the 1980s, to proactive testing of fields for SCN in the 1990s, to routine management of SCN in the 2000s. What about now? Soybean varieties with SCN resistance have been the foundation of effective SCN management, but resistance is mostly losing effectiveness. The widespread and long-lived nature of SCN requires sampling fields to monitor numbers and using a broad-based management program. The SCN Coalition recommends: Take the Test, Beat the Pest - What’s your Number?

Soybean Potassium Deficiency Symptoms During Early and Late Growing Stages

Since early August, farmers and consultants have been reporting what they believed were potassium (K) deficiency symptoms in soybean leaves located in the middle or upper canopy. This is not surprising in fields or portions of fields with soil-test values in the very low or low K interpretation categories. Moreover, K deficiency symptoms could develop at these growth stages with drought conditions, even in fields with adequate soil-test K levels. Sometimes symptoms occur in late summer with rainfall events after a dry period.

Dicamba 2018 - The Iowa Experience

I have been reluctant to provide estimates of soybean acres damaged from dicamba applied to Xtend soybean due to the difficulty in developing a realistic number of affected acres. While there has been a significant number of acres damaged by dicamba, I am sure it is less than five percent of Iowa’s nearly 10 million soybean acres. Due to this relatively small number of acres affected (in relation to total soybean acres), dicamba injury will not significantly impact Iowa’s productivity in 2018.

Frogeye Leaf Spot Making an Appearance Across Iowa Soybeans

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists have reported the appearance of frogeye leaf spot in soybeans as much of the crop across Iowa enters the R3-R5 growth stage.

When is it Too Late to Spray for Soybean Aphid?

Soybean aphid is the most important insect pest of soybean in Iowa. Foliar insecticides, mostly pyrethroids and organophosphates, have been the primary management tactic for soybean aphid in Iowa since 2001. Regular scouting and timely treatments will protect yield. Our research and extension program at Iowa State University (ISU) is focused on evaluating insecticide efficacy for soybean aphid on a wide range of products. We are also screening soybean aphid populations for pyrethroid resistance in northern Iowa.

You “Mite” Want to Scout Drought-Stressed Crops

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, southeastern and south central Iowa are experiencing prolonged heat and moisture stress. In early August, there were twospotted spider mites detected in corn and beans. I recommend scouting corn and soybean fields for mite infestations this month, especially in these areas.

SCN Development in 2018

Map the initial soybean cyst nematode (SCN) egg population densities (top) and an aerial image (bottom) taken in September of the sampled area in an SCN-infested field at the Iowa State University Northern Research and Demonstration Farm just south of Kanawha, Iowa.

The activities of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) are significantly affected by environmental conditions. Greatest SCN reproduction occurs during hot, dry conditions. SCN development likely is accelerated this season, and hastened development could result in greater-than-normal increases in SCN numbers. Every year, as fall approaches, patches of early-maturing plants will begin to appear in soybean fields. Early-maturing patches in soybean fields can be an indirect symptom of SCN damage. Farmers are encouraged to have fields soil sampled to determine SCN population densities prior to growing soybean crops and to take an active, integrated approach to managing the nematode.

Check Your Corn for Aphids

Since 2010, aphids have been colonizing corn later in the summer and are building up to striking levels in Iowa. They can be found at the base of the stalk, around the ear and sometimes above the ear leaf. It seems these aphids have been sighted in corn again this summer (Photo 1).

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