Lincoln, Nebraska
July 31, 2009
Source:
Crop Watch news service
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
New winter wheat seed treatments
have proven very effective, increasing yield by one to two
bushels an acre even when no disease is detected, said Bob
Klein, Extension western Nebraska crops specialist.
Fungicide treatment is crucial in controlling or preventing
disease in wheat and the small, consistent yield increase more
than pays the cost.
Wheat diseases appear every year and Klein often sees damaged
fields that could have been saved with treated seed. He
recommends that producers select certified, treated wheat seed.
Choose varieties that have performed well in local tests, he
said.
“I just don’t think you can afford to gamble and not use a seed
treatment, especially with the quality of seed treatments we
have today,” Klein said.
Klein highly recommended that these treatments be professionally
applied. Producers used to mix their own treatments, but without
professional equipment, it was difficult to apply the fungicides
evenly. As a result, producers seldom got a very good
performance from these treatments.
Faith Colburn, Communications Specialist
West Central REC, North Platte |
|
