Integrated Pest and Crop Management Newsletter Vol. 16, No. 18 October 20, 2006 Cotton Producers Should Now Prepare for Their 2007 Crop By Allen Wrather I realize that harvest of the 2006 cotton crop has just begun and few are concerned about anything but getting this crop harvested. However, producers should now start preparations for the 2007 cotton crop. The following is a check list of items to consider. * Select the fields you intend to plant to cotton in 2007. * Sample the soil in each field and test it for pH and nutrients if this has not been done since 2002. * Apply needed lime and fertilizer this fall or early spring. * Break hardpans by subsoiling this fall or early spring. * Improve drainage of the fields this fall or next spring to reduce wet soil problems for the 2007 crop. * Dig cotton roots after harvest in areas of the field where nematode problems are suspected and examine them for rootknot nematode (RKN) galls. University of Missouri research shows that root gall severity due to RKN is a reliable indicator of the presence of this nematode and the severity of RKN damage to cotton. Producers should do this soon because December is too late. Contact me for more information about this method. If RKN is a problem,producers should make decisions this winter about how to manage it in 2007. * Select varieties for planting in 2007 based on University of Missouri cotton variety yield trials and the yields of varieties in your own and your neighbor’s fields. The University of Missouri cotton variety yield trial results for 2005 are available on the web at http://aes.missouri.edu/delta/cotton/index.stm, and the 2006 data will be available at this site by mid-November. * Hire a cotton scout or consultant to weekly inspect your 2007 crop for pests. Following these suggested procedures will give Missouri cotton producers a better chance of producing higher yields and greater profits. For more information contact Allen Wrather the University of Missouri Delta Center (Phone: 573-379- 5431, E-mail: wratherj@missouri.edu) or check the Delta Center Web Page ( aes.missouri.edu/delta). Allen Wrather University of Missouri-Delta Center ********************* Soybean Producers-Sample Fields Now For Soybean Cyst Nematode By Allen Wrather Here is the situation: Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the worst pest of soybeans in the United States. Missouri soybean producers can help protect their crop against this pest by planting soybean varieties that have some resistance to SCN and by rotating soybean with corn, grain sorghum, cotton and certain other crops. The first step toward protecting soybean against SCN is to test the field soil for it. Soybean growers should take this test to beat this pest. Although soil samples for SCN may be collected at any time, the ideal time to sample is as close to soybean harvest as possible. SCN numbers tend to be highest when the plants are almost mature to shortly after harvest. Sampling near harvest allows sufficient time for the nematode laboratory to process the sample and provide you with information, and enough time for variety selection or choosing alternative crops for next year. Large fields may be subdivided into sections of about 10 acres each, and a single sample from each of the different sections should be submitted for analysis. Collect 10 to 20 soil cores six to eight inches deep in a zigzag pattern across the area to be sampled. Bulk the cores in a bucket and mix thoroughly. Place about one pint of the mixed soil in a plastic bag and label the outside of the bag with a marker to identify the field number and owner. Store the sample away from sunlight in a cool area until it is shipped for testing in the lab. More information about collecting and shipping soil samples for nematode tests is at http://soilplantlab.missouri.edu/nematode/samples.htm or call your County Extension Office. More information about SCN is available in the recently revised MU Extension guide number 4450 titled, Soybean Cyst Nematode: Diagnosis and Management. Color copies of this revised guide are now being printed, and they will be available at County Extension Offices in the near future. The guide is available on the web at http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/crops/g04450.htm. Remember, take the test to beat this pest. Following these suggested procedures will give soybean producers a better chance of producing a profitable soybean crop in 2007. Allen Wrather University of Missouri-Delta Center ********************* New Fall Herbicide Available for Corn By Kevin Bradley Autumn is a new herbicide from Bayer CropSciences that is available for use as a fall-applied herbicide prior to corn planting. Autumn can also be applied up to 30 days before corn planting in the spring. Autumn is not labeled for use on areas that will be planted to soybeans. Autumn is an ALS-inhibiting herbicide which contains the active ingredient iodosulfuron. It should be applied at a rate of 0.3 oz/A. Autumn should be applied with a crop oil concentrate at 1% v/v and a nitrogen fertilizer. In our research with Autumn last year, we observed good control of henbit and common chickweed with fall applications of Autumn or Autumn plus 2, 4-D (Table 1). Similar levels of henbit and chickweed control were also achieved with Basis plus 2, 4-D and Princep plus 2, 4-D. The addition of 2, 4- D increased control of annual fleabane and corn speedwell compared to applications of Autumn alone. For the price, I generally recommend the addition of 2, 4-D to your fall herbicide to enhance burndown activity and broaden the spectrum of winter annual weeds controlled. As illustrated in Table 1, Princep plus 2, 4-D provided the best control of corn speedwell, which is one of our toughest winter annual weeds to eliminate. We also observed some residual control of waterhemp after corn planting with each of these fall treatments. Although we have not evaluated these weeds in our trials, other university researchers have also observed good field pennycress, shepherd’s-purse, purple deadnettle, marestail, and dandelion control with applications of Autumn plus 2, 4-D in the fall. With some of these species, like purple deadnettle and marestail, the addition of 2, 4-D will increase control significantly compared to applications of Autumn alone. Table 1. Influence of fall herbicide treatments on winter and summer annual weed control 15 days after corn planting at Columbia, MO in 2006. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Weed Species Treatments^a Rate Common Henbit Annual Corn Common Product/ Chickweed Fleabane Speedwell Waterhemp Acre ---------- % Control 15 Days After Corn Planting ---------- Autumn 0.3 oz 98 97 48 54 72 Autumn + 2,4-D 0.3 oz + 1 pt 92 99 72 66 60 Basis + 2,4-D 0.375 oz + 1 pt 99 99 70 56 56 Princep + 2,4-D 1 qt + 1 pt 94 99 78 99 61 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ^a All treatments applied November 7, 2005. Kevin Bradley 573-882-4039 ********************* With High Fertilizer Prices, It Is Important to Test Soil and Apply Nutrients Accordingly By Manjula Nathan Fall and spring are the times when the labs get flooded with soil samples for testing. However, fall sampling is ideal for farmers as it gives the starting point to plan for next year’s nutrient management plan. If you are going to apply nutrients you need to know how much to put on. Without soil testing, nutrient applications are a guess, and there is no room for guessing in today’s atmosphere of narrow margins due to high fertilizer prices, and public concern of the environmental pollution. Testing soils reduce the risks involved with applying nutrients. What kind of fertilizer do you need to achieve your yield goals? Well, a good place to start would be University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Lab. The University of Missouri Soil & Plant testing lab provides soil, plant, manure, compost, greenhouse media, and water analyses. The lab ensures reliable results and unbiased nutrient recommendations are given to farmers and homeowners to grow a good crops and lawns without polluting the environment. Soil testing is a farmer’s best guide to the wise and efficient use of fertilizer and soil amendments. A soil test is like taking an inventory of the nutrients available to plants, which are too high, too low or just right. While plant growth and prior yields may offer clues to nutrient availability, a farmer won’t precisely know until they test their soil. Although soil-testing kits are available in the market, laboratory testing is more reliable, and the results from laboratories are accompanied with interpretations and recommendations. Why Do Soil Test? Soil fertility fluctuates throughout the growing season each year. The quantity and availability of mineral nutrients are altered by the addition of fertilizers, manure, and lime in addition to leaching and de-nitrification losses. Furthermore, large quantities of mineral nutrients are removed from soils as a result of plant growth and development, and by the harvesting of crops. The soil test will determine the current fertility status. It also provides the necessary information needed to maintain the optimum fertility year after year. The soil test takes the guesswork out of fertilization and is extremely cost effective. It not only eliminates the waste of money spent on unnecessary fertilizers, but also eliminates overusage of fertilizers, hence helping to protect the environment. When Do I Soil Test? : Although fall and early spring are typical times to test soil, one can really do it any time the soil is not frozen, but don’t sample after recent fertilizer or lime applications. For new sites, soil samples can be taken anytime when the soil is workable. Most people conduct their soil tests in the spring. However, fall is a preferred time to take soil tests if one wants to avoid the spring rush. Fall soil testing will allow you ample time to apply lime to raise the soil pH. Soil testing is strongly recommended for field crops. The cost of soil testing is minor in comparison to the cost of seed and plants and labor. Correcting a problem before planting is much simpler and cheaper than afterwards. Routine fertilizer or lime applications can result in excessive soil nutrient levels or deleterious soil pH. For example many fertilizers tend to have lower soil pH, and after several years of fertilization the pH may drop below desirable. The test results are only as good as the sample taken. It is extremely important to provide a representative sample to the testing lab so that a reliable test and recommendations can be made for the entire area. This can be accomplished by submitting a composite sample. Take 15 random samples in a zigzag pattern at plow depth, mix well, and submit a sub-sample from it to the lab. We recommend that you divide your field and submit one sample for each 40 acres. Testing your soil for nutrients and pH is important to provide balanced application of nutrients, while avoiding over application. At University of Missouri Soil Testing Laboratory we offer a regular fertility test that includes measurements of pH, lime requirement, organic matter, available phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and cation exchange capacity. Soil pH greatly influences plant nutrient availability. Adjusting pH often corrects the nutrient problem for most plants. The optimum pH for most plants is between 6.0 and 7.0. The lime requirement measurement indicates the amount of amendment (usually lime) necessary to correct a pH problem. Organic matter has several roles in the soil; generally the more organic matter the better. Nitrogen recommendations are based on the organic matter level. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are all essential plant nutrients. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) value is a measure of the soil’s ability to hold nutrients. Test costs vary according to the number of nutrients tested. The University of Missouri Soil Testing Laboratory charges $10.00 (when submitting direct to the lab) for a regular fertility test. Special services and prices are available when submitting large numbers of soil samples for Precision Ag purposes (40 or more samples submitted by one person at one time). Please contact the lab or visit the lab’s website ( http://soilplantlab.missouri.edu/soil) to get specific information on pricing and services. Several other analyses are available. These include but are not limited to soil analysis for sulfur, micro-nutrients (Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Boron), salt content (electrical conductivity), and soil texture (particle size analysis). Test reports provide interpretation and nutrient recommendations. The turnaround time for a regular fertility soil test is 24 hours from the time sample is received by the lab. Customers have to add mailing time to get the reports by regular mail services. For plant, manure, water, greenhouse media and compost tests the turnaround time is within 5 working days. You can contact your Regional Agronomy/Horticulture/ Natural Resources Specialist or local Extension Office to obtain Sample Information Forms and sample boxes, and can submit samples through their offices. These Regional Specialists at your local Extension Offices can be a source of information for interpreting and personalizing your soil test reports and recommendations. Samples can be submitted directly to the University of Missouri Soil Testing labs at 23 Mumford Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 (Tel: 573-882-0623) The lab maintains a comprehensive web site at http://soilplantlab.missouri.edu/soil. The site includes information on how to collect soil and plant samples, and how and where to submit samples. The web site provides a list of services provided by the lab, costs of tests, sample information forms, location of the lab and other relevant information. Now the lab also provides web access of soil test results with a specifically assigned password to clients upon request. We also have the option for electronic mailing of data if required. Customers can drop off their samples in person at 23 Mumford Hall, mail them in, or drop them off at their County University Extension offices. Dr. Manjula Nathan Director MU Soil Testing & Plant Diagnostic Service Laboratories ********************* Energy to Highlight Crop Management Conference By Peter Scharf Agri-Energy Expectations will be the opening topic for this year’s Crop Management Conference in Columbia, MO. Dr. James Fischer from the U.S. Dept. of Energy will present the keynote address, focusing on how American agriculture currently uses energy and how it could lead in the development of a future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable and affordable, both on and off the farm. Dr. Fischer grew up on a Missouri family farm, has served as a professor of Agricultural Engineering, and is currently a Senior Technical Advisor at DOE. Following Dr. Fischer’s presentation, a range of crop management topics will be presented in one-hour breakout sessions. Topics will include: * no-till crop management * weed, insect, & disease updates * economics of herbicide resistance * corn diseases * soybean insects * best management practices for nitrogen * weed seedling identification * conservation planning for NRCS * summer pasture options * a new federal drought-tracking program * hay and manure as nutrient sources * crop/animal systems to utilize wet distillers grains A total of 11.5 Certified Crop Advisor CEUs is anticipated. The conference will take place on December 5 & 6, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Select at I-70 exit 124 in Columbia, MO. Peter Scharf 573-882-0777 ********************* Agri-Energy Perspectives Dr. Jim Fischer of the U.S. Dept. of Energy will kick off this year’s Crop Management Conference in Columbia, speaking on the topic of Agri-Energy Expectations. Dr. Fischer’s working knowledge of agriculture and renewable and energy efficient technologies provides him with unique insights on building synergy in public/private sector partnerships within the agricultural-energy nexus. Dr. Fischer will review broad trends in world and U.S. energy production and consumption. He will discuss DOE’s research, development and deployment activities relating to the potential for agricultural involvement in the production and consumption of bioenergy (including cellulosic ethanol), hydrogen fuel, wind, solar, and geothermal as well as improving energy efficiency in agriculture. He will then examine how effective energy policies can encourage the accelerated development and deployment of these technologies to realize this vision of a prosperous future. As a result of his leadership in agriculture, energy and higher education, Dr. Fischer has spoken extensively both nationally and internationally to public and private sector audiences. His unique insights on the agricultural-energy nexus have been fused by extensive experience in each of these sectors. ********************* Crop Management Conference to Offer Technical Service Provider Opportunity By Peter Scharf and Glenn Davis Over the past few years, there has been some confusion about the role of Certified Crop Advisors in preparing nutrient and pest management plans for NRCS programs. NRCS and the International CCA Program have agreed to a certification protocol where CCAs may qualify as Technical Service Providers for plan writing by successfully completing a training curriculum consisting of seven modules. Modules 1-6 may be accessed online, but Module 7 is an examination that must be completed in a face-to-face session. For CCAs interested in becoming certified Technical Service Providers, a one-hour refresher course reviewing the content of Modules 1-6 will be offered during the Crop Management Conference. The Module 7 exam will be held immediately following the Crop Management conference on December 6. For CCAs who are interested in becoming Technical Service Providers, this opportunity to meet the certification requirements is expected to be the only one in Missouri this year. The conference will take place on December 5 & 6, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Select at I-70 exit 124 in Columbia, MO. Peter Scharf 573-882-0777 ********************* Use Soil Temperature to Time Fall Anhydrous Ammonia Applications for Corn in Northern Missouri By John Lory Any fall nitrogen application carries the risk that fertilizer will be lost from the soil before the corn crop can use it in May and June. Applying nitrogen too early in the fall increases the risk that the nitrogen will be lost from the soil. Most fall nitrogen will be applied as anhydrous ammonia. When applied to frozen or nearly frozen soils, the nitrogen tends to stay in the ammonium form that resists over-winter losses. If you apply anhydrous ammonia too early in fall to a warm soil, the nitrogen will convert to nitrate, a highly mobile form of nitrogen. Nitrate nitrogen can be lost from the soil if we have saturated soils in winter or spring before corn has a chance to use the fertilizer. The rule of thumb in Northern Missouri (north of I-70) is that farmers can minimize the potential for fall nitrogen loss if they wait to apply anhydrous ammonia until the average daily soil temperature at six inches is below 50 degrees. However this rule was developed in more northern conditions like Minnesota where soils cool more quickly. We are currently investigating if we should delay fall anhydrous applications until soil temperatures are 40 degrees or less. Average soil temperature at six inches does not consistently stay below 50 degrees until mid November and 40 degrees until early December at Novelty MO (see Figure 1). October is too early to apply fall anhydrous ammonia in Northern Missouri if you are concerned about over-winter losses. In southern Missouri, fall and winter soil temperatures rarely remain cold enough to delay nitrate conversion. Soil temperature at six inches at Glennonville MO typically stay above freezing so some conversion to nitrate can occur through most of the winter. Fall application of anhydrous ammonia is not recommended in southern Missouri. Products can be added to nitrogen fertilizers to delay the conversion of nitrogen to nitrate. These products reduce the risk of nitrogen losses from nitrogen applications. N-serve (a nitrification inhibitor) can be added to anhydrous ammonia. High fertilizer prices make the economics of inhibitors more favorable. The Missouri Agricultural Weather Network monitors soil temperature at six inches at nine locations in Northern Missouri. Average daily soil temperature was still in the mid 50's on October 16, 2006 despite recent cool temperatures. Monitor soil temperatures in Northern Missouri at the website: http://agebb.missouri.edu/weather/reports/soysoil6.asp. Horizon Point custom weather analysis system for farmers provides farmers with the opportunity to have site specific weather reports sent directly to their e-mail address. This system has an option to have six-inch soil temperature included in your email report. Learn more and sign up for Horizon Point at http://agebb.missouri.edu/horizonpoint/. John Lory Plant Science Division and Commercial Agriculture Program ********************* Weather data for the Week Ending October 16, 2006 By Pat Guinan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Monthly | Growing Weekly Temperature (deg. F) |Precip (in.)|Degree Days^ -----------------------------|------------|------------ Ext- Ext- Depart| Depart|Accum Depart Avg.Avg. reme reme from |Oct 1 from |since from Station County Max.Min. High Low Mean avg. |Oct 16 avg |Apr 1 avg. ------------------------------------------------------|------------|------------ Corning Atchison 55 37 62 27 46 -9 | 1.02 -0.40 | 3858 +547 St. Joseph Buchanan 54 38 60 29 46 -10 | 1.33 -0.39 | 3774 +382 Brunswick Chariton 56 36 60 26 46 -10 | 1.51 -0.28 | 3770 +323 Albany Gentry 54 36 59 23 45 -10 | 0.62 -0.86 | 3560 +186 Auxvasse Audrain 57 38 60 29 47 -9 | 1.31 -0.44 | 3734 +267 Columbia Boone 57 39 61 29 48 -9 | 1.31 -0.54 | 3867 +254 Sanborn Field Boone 57 40 61 31 49 -8 | 1.27 -0.62 | 4119 +423 Williamsburg Callaway 58 37 61 27 48 -8 | 1.38 -0.37 | * * Novelty Knox 55 36 58 28 45 -10 | 1.05 -0.77 | 3478 +87 Linneus Linn 54 37 58 28 46 -9 | 1.34 -0.40 | 3542 +244 Monroe City Monroe 55 35 57 26 46 -9 | 1.11 -0.62 | 3608 +150 Versailles Morgon 59 42 64 33 50 -8 | 0.93 -1.36 | 4164 +478 Green Ridge Pettis 58 40 64 28 49 -7 | 0.95 -1.13 | 4018 +603 Lamar Barton 63 42 68 31 52 -7 | 0.47 -1.63 | 4168 +306 Cook Station Crawford * * * * * * | * * | * * Alley Spring Shannon 63 34 74 22 49 -8 | 3.32 +1.57 | 3510 -28 Round Spring Shannon 62 34 74 22 48 -9 | 2.70 +0.95 | 3521 -17 Delta Cape | | Girardeau 65 38 76 27 52 -7 | 3.34 +1.75 | 3889 -193 Cardwell Dunklin 67 43 77 30 56 -5 | 2.38 +0.34 | 4436 +19 Clarkton Dunklin 66 43 77 35 55 -6 | 2.31 +0.85 | 4340 -31 Glennonville Dunklin 66 42 76 33 54 -7 | 2.01 +0.59 | 4304 -41 Charleston Mississippi 65 42 76 34 54 -5 | 2.11 +0.38 | 4185 +157 Portageville- | | Delta Center Pemiscot 66 43 77 32 56 -5 | 1.99 +0.04 | 4502 +168 Portageville- | | Lee Farm Pemiscot 66 43 78 33 56 -4 | 1.84 -0.03 | 4511 +207 Steele Pemiscot 68 43 79 31 56 -5 | 1.78 +0.00 | 4615 +280 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Complete data not available for report ^Growing degree days are calculated by subtracting a 50 degree (Fahrenheit) base temperature from the average daily temperature. Thus, if the average temperature for the day is 75 degrees, then 25 growing degree days will have been accumulated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pat Guinan, Commercial Agriculture Program (573) 882-5908