Integrated Crop Management News

Links to these articles are strongly encouraged. Articles may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If articles are used in any other manner, permission from the author is required.

SCN-resistant Soybean Varieties for Iowa in 2022

Growing resistant varieties in rotation with nonhost corn and using nematode-protectant soybean seed treatments is recommended for integrated management of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). ISU compiles a list of soybean varieties with resistance to SCN each year. This year’s publication was recently completed and is available online. There are 872 varieties in the publication, 96% with resistance from PI 88788, which has been used almost exclusively for 15 years. Due to prolonged widespread use of PI 88788 SCN resistance in Iowa, SCN populations have developed increased reproduction on varieties with PI 88788 resistance and SCN is causing increasing yield losses. This article discusses the situation and gives guidance on how farmers should manage SCN with so few choices of resistance genetics available.

Pasture Weed Control

Fall is one of the best times for managing perennial and biennial weeds found in pastures or other areas maintained in perennial grass. As perennials prepare for the upcoming winter, they move energy reserves from shoots to their perennial vegetative reproductive structures (e.g. rhizomes, perennial rootstocks).

Give Careful Consideration to Likely High Soil and Cornstalk Nitrate Levels This Fall

The 2021 cropping season had variable rainfall across Iowa. Since crop harvest began, rainfall also has been variable, and temperatures have generally been above normal. Therefore, it is not surprising to hear of variable but often higher than normal end-of-season cornstalk nitrate test levels and postharvest soil nitrate levels. Farmers and crop consultants should use caution in interpreting these results for N fertilization of next year corn.

End-of-season cornstalk nitrate test

Soil-Test Interpretations for Fall Fertilization and Liming Decisions with High Fertilizer Prices and After Highly Variable Rainfall and Crop Yields

Net returns to P or K fertilization of corn and soybean for different soil-test levels

The 2021 cropping season had very variable rainfall across Iowa with either drought or excessive rainfall. Highly variable landscape and soil moisture retention capacity in many fields also may cause high within-field yield variability. Reduced potential income due to low yield in some areas combined with currently very high fertilizer prices are creating significant uncertainty among producers about P, K, and liming decisions for the 2022 crop season. Several factors need to be considered.

Fall is the Perfect Time to Collect Soil Samples for SCN

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a major yield-reducing pathogen of soybeans throughout Iowa and many other states. SCN-resistant soybean varieties have been used for decades to produce profitable yields and keep SCN numbers in check, but most resistant varieties have lost much of their effectiveness. Also, SCN reproduction in fields where soybeans were grown likely was much greater than normal in 2021 due to hot, dry weather. Collecting soil samples in the fall is advised to determine the SCN situation in fields. This article outlines guidelines for sampling fields for SCN, gives information on where to send SCN soil samples, and provides guidance on managing fields that are infested with SCN.

Managing for 2022 Volunteer Corn Potential

The derecho left many Iowa farmers with significant volunteer corn this growing season, and unfortunately some may be facing a similar situation for 2022 after late August storms flattened fields.

Management of Flood-submerged Grain

In a sudden turn of weather events, there have been several severe storms in the northeast and east central crop reporting districts of Iowa. These storms have created the potential for grain quality problems; of the most immediate need for action are those corn and soybean fields that have been flooded above the grain level. Fields with lodging will have more grain susceptible to flooding.

Fall Armyworm is a 2021 Late-Season Pest

Fall armyworm is native to tropical regions in the western hemisphere. It can only successfully overwinter in the southern US (Texas and Florida), but the adults are strong flyers and capable of long-distance migration to northern states. Multiple migration events are possible each summer, and adults can be found in Iowa from June to August. This year, they are more abundant in the Midwest than usual and are causing late-season issues. As the common name suggests, larvae can still be active in October. Droughty conditions favor their development.

Yellow soybean too early this season?

Since early August Iowa farmers have been reporting soybean fields or parts of fields with yellow or greenish-yellow leaves in the upper canopy which resemble early senescence and sometimes nitrogen (N) deficiency symptoms. The soybean growth stage is mainly R4 to R5. Several factors can cause these symptoms. Rainfall has been extremely variable this season in Iowa, with severe drought still persisting in some areas of the state. Yet, areas in southern and southeast Iowa have experienced normal to excessive rainfall.

Twospotted spider mite scouting reminders

Two twospotted spider mites on a soybean leaf

Twospotted spider mites have been spotted in fields across much of Iowa already this summer, as much of Iowa is in moderate or severe drought (D1-D2, US Drought Monitor). I encourage you to scout for twospotted spider mites in crops. Twospotted spider mites can increase whenever temperatures are greater than 85°F, humidity is less than 90 percent, and moisture levels are low.

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