Now that we’re within the time frames for planting to achieve optimal yields for corn and soybean, producers might be getting antsy with the cold, damp weather, and weighing the risks of a potential cold front that can cause damage to germinating seeds or seedlings.
For those that have planted in the small windows of dry weather this season, it’s imperative that stand counts are conducted in the fields to assess seedling diseases and evaluate germination rates — given the quality of 2018’s grain. Given the variable weather conditions, it’s important to evaluate how well seed has emerged after this cool, moist weather period. There's a high probability that some portions of the state will see reduced stand counts. With low quality seed, there's a possibility that the reduced stand counts could be exacerbated. Seed treatments applied to low quality seed can provide protection against certain diseases, but not cool, wet weather.
For information on the types of seedling diseases and planting with low germination rates in mind, be sure to skim through last month’s ICM article on the subject, as well as the Crop Protection Network’s recommendations.
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- Former Communications Specialist
- Professor
- Extension Plant Pathologist
- Professor of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
- Extension Field Crops Pathologist