Indianapolis, Indiana
July 13, 2009
Today, growers have a full
selection of corn hybrids with elite genetics and multiple trait
options. However, even the most prestigious hybrids still
require diligent crop scouting. As corn plants start to develop,
it is time to start scouting fields for pests, weeds and
diseases. A good scouting routine is essential to keeping all
crops protected.
“This time of year, corn is in an important stage of
development. If outbreaks of insects or diseases strike now, the
potential yield loss can be significant,” says Keith Porter,
Mycogen Seeds agronomy
service leader.
Porter suggests key tips for successful scouting of corn:
- Have a plan of attack —
Identify what pests are active during the current phase of
the crop growth cycle and scout your fields every seven to
10 days.
- Do your homework — Use
tools and resources from Extension and other reference
publications, and do some extra research to prepare yourself
for what pests and diseases look like; saving photos to a
cell phone or portable device can allow for quick
identification, as can various field scouting guides.
- Get out of the truck —
Take a survey of all representative areas of a field and use
scouting guides from a trusted source to develop more
specific procedures. There is no substitute for actually
walking the fields.
- Keep thorough records —
Take notes, pictures and samples when you are scouting.
Digital photos are easy to e-mail to an agronomist if you
need help identifying a pest or a plant disease, but sending
actual samples is best when they are preserved correctly.
While scouting fields, pests to
watch out for include European corn borer and corn rootworm.
Look closely for brown scars and tunnels at and in the roots to
detect corn rootworm presence. Holes in leaves, tunnels in
stalks, ear shank, broken tassels and poor ear development can
all result from European corn borer infestation.
“Scouting can help stop a pest problem before it starts,” Porter
says. “Once a pest problem gets advanced beyond threshold
levels, it can cause economic loss and could result in lower
yield potential and harvesting concerns.”
Gray leaf spot is one leaf disease to look for while scouting as
the season progresses. Blocky or rectangular-shaped gray, tan or
pale brown lesions on lower corn leaves are signs of gray leaf
spot. Selecting a hybrid with better tolerance in fields with
higher residue levels that might be prone to the disease can be
helpful.
Weeds such as tall waterhemp, panicum and giant ragweed, can
create costly problems for growers this year. The wet weather
concerns in some areas have delayed post emergence applications
for weed control. Weeds that compete for nutrients and sunlight
cause reduced resources and yields, especially in some of the
more poorly developed stands of soybeans and even corn.
Porter also recommends subscribing to a newsletter from your
state university and newsletters from universities in
neighboring states. “Weather and disease trends throughout a
larger region can affect crops in bordering states. It’s good to
have a heads-up and be ahead of any potential threats,” Porter
says. “Web sites with this type of information can be even
timelier and allow growers to act more quickly to potential
problems.”
For tough weed, insect and disease problems and questions,
Mycogen Seeds customer agronomists are available to help. The
staff of experienced and knowledgeable agronomists can be
consulted about issues on local and regional levels. For
solutions to all agronomy problems, look to Mycogen Seeds
customer agronomists. To connect with your local Mycogen Seeds
sales representative or agronomist, call 1-800-MYCOGEN.
Mycogen Seeds is a retail seed company of Dow AgroSciences
LLC and a developer and marketer of leading grain corn hybrids,
the market leader in SILAGE-SPECIFIC™ corn hybrids and sunflower
hybrids, as well as an industry leader in canola, alfalfa,
soybeans and sorghum. For more information about MYCOGEN® brand
products, visit www.mycogen.com.
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a
top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science
and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve
what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides
innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation
management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to
serve the world’s growing population. Global sales for Dow
AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical
Company, are $4.5 billion. Learn more at
www.dowagro.com.
®™MYCOGEN, the MYCOGEN Logo and SILAGE-SPECIFIC are trademarks
of Mycogen Corporation. |
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