Field Crop News at Penn State

Field Crop News

Website Address: http://fcn.agronomy.psu.edu/

May 28, 2004    Vol. 04:04

IN THIS ISSUE:

Mark Your Calendar

Weather Outlook

Production

Pest Management

Agents Corner

WEATHER OUTLOOK

Unseasonably warm weather has dominated Pennsylvania as May, 2004 will likely enter the record books as one of the five warmest of record. After a cool period at the end of the first week, almost the entire state has averaged above normal temperatures for the past three weeks. Only a few daily record maximums have been set, but nighttime temperatures have been exceptionally mild. Rainfall has been the most generous in the western and northern counties and just a little below average in sections of far eastern Pennsylvania. Several bouts of strong thunderstorms have left damage trails in southwest and west-central sections. Temperatures should be near a minimum in northern Pennsylvania on May 29 with patches of frost possible in the hollows of the border counties.

Readings will likely stay near or below seasonal levels through Memorial Day as clouds gather and thundershowers return for the holiday. While the first day of June may be partly sunny and warm, the majority of the first week of the new month will be dull and cool with showers. Rain will likely be heaviest in central sections. After June 7, warmer and more humid air will return. The updated outlook for the summer indicates somewhat above normal temperatures and above normal rainfall.

Paul Knight, WeatherWorld@psu.edu
Pennsylvania State Climatologist

PRODUCTION

STICK TO YOUR GUNS

"Stonewall Jackson" earned his nickname because of his great persistence in battle that led the confederate forces to important victories. When General Bee was ready to give up in the first battle of Manasses, Jackson replied, "Sir, we will give them the bayonet." Determination is what often lacks in no-till.

Tillage surveys show that approximately 20% of the planted acres are no-tilled in Pennsylvania. This statistic hides the fact that many, if not most, farmers rotate tillage with no-till. This is called 'rotational tillage', a common habit across the U.S. A study in the state of Indiana showed that although 60% of soybeans and 21% of corn were no-till planted, less than 9% of planted acres had been continuously no-tilled for a 5-year period. In another survey, the average period of continuous no-till was only 2.4 years in Illinois, 2.3 years in Indiana, and 1.4 years in Minnesota. This leads us to believe there is only a small percentage of continuous no-till. Most farmers therefore never leave the 'transitory phase' from tillage to no-till.

Soil improvement with no-till takes years to accrue, and is typically destroyed in one tillage pass. The long-term benefits of no-till such as improved surface tilth, increased biological activity, increased organic matter, and improved infiltration usually take 3-5 years before they are solidly in place. The change in soil ecology has implications for nutrient cycling as well. The first years of no-till are therefore often associated with a yield dip. After 3-5 years of continuous no-till things should get better.

Figure 1

As an example, just think about the implications for nitrogen cycling. We know organic matter contents increase when converting from a tillage to no-till system. Suppose the organic matter content in an acre slice increases 0.1% per year. This corresponds to an organic carbon increase of 0.058% (the conversion is: 1% organic matter = 0.58% organic carbon). Approximately 1/10 of this is organic nitrogen (at a C:N ratio of 10), or 0.0058% N. An acre slice of soil weighs about 2 million pounds. The nitrogen associated with the organic matter would be 2 million × 0.000058= 116 lbs of N! This N would not be available for the crop in that year. Instead of being considered a loss, you should think of this as money (N) put in a savings account (organic matter). Once you reach a new organic matter equilibrium in your no-till system, the release of N from decomposing organic matter will equal the N needed for organic matter 'maintenance'. That's when your investment starts to pay off. Thus after the initial phase no extra N is needed for organic matter build-up. In the transition years, however, a moderate N deficit may occur in the no-till system if you use the same N-rates as before in the tillage system. Although this is not an official recommendation, it does make sense to apply a little more N in the transition years to corn, or to grow a legume early on to avoid N deficiencies.

In another study, soil aggregation after 5 years of continuous no-till was found to increase 120%, and 35% in chiseled plowed compared to moldboard plowed fields. The improvement in aggregation was eradicated after the fields were plowed again. In another study in Maryland, infiltration in the first year of no-till was equal to that in tilled fields. After 3 to 4 years of no-till, however, all rainfall infiltrated in no-till. These results show that with time soil will improve with no-till.

Stonewall Jackson was not sure whether he would win when he showed such determination. When transitioning to no-till, we have much proof that things should get better with time. Therefore, stick to your guns when going for the no-till system.

Sjoerd W. Duiker, swd10@psu.edu
Soil Management Specialist, Crop and Soil Sciences

CHANGE IN NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT POLICY

Some important changes have occurred this week in the nutrient management program in Pennsylvania. Earlier this month a judge ruled in a case concerning a nutrient management plan appeal, that the State Nutrient Management regulations did not fully address the requirements in Act 6 because they do not identify phosphorus as a nutrient under the Act nor do they provide a procedure to determine proper application rates for phosphorus.

As a result, the State Conservation Commission on May 25 adopted a new interim policy that will require planners to include a phosphorus application component to any Act 6 nutrient management plan (CAO, CAFO, compliance plan or volunteer plan) submitted to the Commission or conservation district after May 25, 2004. New regulations to include phosphorus as part of nutrient management plans in Pennsylvania were already being developed. These draft regulations are expected to be published for public comment in the near future and it is anticipated that they will take effect in 2005. Thus, the policy adopted this week is only an interim policy until these new regulations take effect.

Specifically, the policy recommends the use of the Pennsylvania Phosphorus Index to address the phosphorus application portion of the plan. This means that an N based nutrient management plan, as currently required under Act 6, will need to be evaluated with the P Index to determine if there is significant risk of P loss under this plan. If a high risk is identified, the N based plan must be modified to address this increased risk. The P Index is available as a fact sheet (http://panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu/pdf/phosphorus_index_factsheet.pdf) and as an excel spread sheet (http://panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu/pdf/phosphorus_index_spreadsheet.XLS).

Certified nutrient management planners who have also completed the Phosphorus Index Training that has been offered over the last several years will be able to write P plans under this interim policy. Phosphorus Index training will also be offered in the future. The next training is on July 8, 2004. (See the Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Program Web Site at: http://panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu/main_training_opport.htm for more information and to register for this workshop.)

Finally, because of the increased planning costs associated with this new policy, the Commission also adopted new higher cost share rates under the Plan Development Incentives Program. Details on this can be obtained from your local county conservation district nutrient management staff.

Detailed information is being sent to all certified nutrient management planners and more information will be available in the near future through Penn State Extension and other agencies, and on the Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Program Web Site at: http://panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu .

Doug Beegle, dbb@psu.edu
Soil Fertility, Crop and Soil Sciences

PEST MANAGEMENT

A REVIEW OF SELECTED HERBICIDE INJURY SYMPTOMS

With the weather we have experienced lately (warm, cloudy, some cool nights, humid, etc.), some herbicide injury has been reported. The following is a list of symptoms that might be expected depending on environmental conditions now and over the next couple of weeks.

Pigment inhibitors
Image 1

The two major pigment inhibitors used in corn are Balance Pro (isoxaflutole) and Lumax (mesotrione plus Dual and atrazine). Both of these products are soil applied although Lumax may also be used early Post. Callisto is post applied mesotrione. The injury symptoms for both of these herbicides are bleaching, white corn, and chlorosis. We have observed some injury from Balance in some of our research plots this year both at Rock Springs and Landisville (Image 1). In general, cool wet weather, shallow planted corn, open slits, lower organic matter and lighter textured soils, and Balance rates greater than 2 oz per acre increase the potential for injury. Do not apply Balance over the top of emerged corn unless you want to see corn turn yellow or white. Balance injured corn from PRE applications generally recovers within several days to a week after the injury is first noticed with no impact on yield.

The potential for mesotrione injury from soil applications is less than Balance. Mesotrione applied post can occasionally injure corn and like many foliar applications, warm humid weather generally increases the potential for injury. With mesotrione, corn generally quickly recovers from any post-applied yellowing or bleaching-type symptoms. Mesotrione has a greater risk of injury to corn with certain OP and carbamate insecticides as well as in applications that include methylated seed oils.

ALS inhibitors
Image 2

Foliar applied ALS-type herbicides for corn include nicosulfuron (Accent and a component of Basis Gold, Celebrity Plus, Steadfast and Steadfast ATZ), Basis (rimsulfuron plus thifensulfuron), Option (foramsulfuron), Equip (foramsulfuron + iodosulfuron) primisulfuron (Beacon and a component of Exceed, NorthStar, and Spirit), Lightning (Clearfield corn only), and halosulfuron (Permit and a component of Yukon). The ALS herbicide inhibits the production of some essential amino acids. The potential for ALS injury increases with rapid uptake of the herbicides during warm humid weather conditions followed by several days of cool weather when the corn can't metabolize the herbicide as quickly. More mature corn (greater than V4), the addition of crop and methylated seed oils, and the use of OP insecticides increase the potential for injury. The plant growth regulator dicamba (Banvel, Clarity, or Distinct) is often tank-mixed with the ALS herbicides and may enhance the potential for herbicide injury. Injury symptoms can include stunting, yellowing and chlorosis (Image 2), and with later applications (greater than V6 corn) ear malformations.

Plant growth regulators
Image 3

The plant growth regulators include dicamba, the active ingredient in Banvel, Clarity, and a component of Celebrity Plus, Distinct, Marksman, NorthStar, and Yukon. In addition to dicamba, 2,4-D, and clopyralid, the ingredient in Stinger and a component of Hornet are also plant growth regulators. Clopyralild injury to corn is uncommon. Foliar applications of dicamba or 2,4-D should be applied by V3/V4 corn to reduce the risk of crop injury (corn less than 10 to12 inches tall). The smaller the corn the better. Crop and methylated seed oils as well as rates above 0.25 lb ai/acre (1/2 pint Banvel or 2,4-D) can increase the injury potential with foliar applications. Injury symptoms can include twisting and bending, brittle plants, and lodging. (Image 3)

Bill Curran, wcurran@psu.edu
Weed Control, Crop and Soil Sciences

Agents Corner

CAPITAL

Planting has been getting done off and on constantly as the weather keeps changing. Most of the corn is in and soybean emergence is beginning to show up all over. The early corn is now 12-16 inches tall and growing well following a very warm and moist period. Weed growth is coming on strong as well. The first plantings of soybeans are in the first trifoliate. Powdery mildew was present in wheat but most of what I saw did not progress up onto the top two leaves. Wheat that was planted on time last fall has passed flowering. It was warm and we had some periods of rain during that time. We'll be looking to see if or how much Fusarium head blight infection took place. Late planted fields are flowering now. In general, I think wheat is below average height. Oats are growing well. Hay harvest has been going on since about May 10. I don't think much has escaped getting hit by some amount of rain.

John Rowehl, jer2@psu.edu
Cumberland County

SOUTH CENTRAL

Corn and soybean plantings are mostly done here in Central PA with the exception of low lying wet fields. Farmers have worked hard to get spring planting done in between all of the precipitation. Emerged corn and soybeans are growing very well due to the plentiful moisture and heat. Post emergence herbicide applications have started much earlier than normal due to excellent weed germination. These early post sprays may lead to more "late" post weed flushes if the soils stay moist. I have had very few insect problems reported, a few flea beetle damaged fields, some seed corn maggot, wire worm and always some slug activity

Wheat fields are showing some disease problems, mostly leaf diseases. Farmers are struggling with the decision of applying high cost fungicides after boot stage or taking their chances with some drier, less humid weather. Grass hay fields are maturing extremely fast, and weather for dry hay making has been non-existent. Alfalfa is just starting to bloom and producers are trying to harvest haylage and baglage when the weather permits. Pastures are doing great, in fact most pastures are maturing much more rapidly than they can be grazed.

Greg Hostetter, gjh10@psu.edu
Juniata County

SOUTHEAST

Today we just completed a successful No-Till Field Day, with much of the credit for setting up the demonstrations going to Extension Educator, Del Voight and the producer, Dick Kreider. It was a great opportunity for farmers to see the current tools that help make no-till work. A little bit of much needed rain beforehand limited the machinery demos but gave farmers a break from fieldwork.

Current field activities include making hay and spreading manure. Most all corn and soybean acres are planted and emerged. Corn is approximately 4-5 leaf stage, soybeans are just emerged to V2. Most all wheat has flowered now.

Due to the time constraint of dodging showers during planting time and the warm temperatures, many grass hay harvests are now 2, going on 3 weeks late. Orchardgrass was ready to harvest right at corn planting.

In general, there have not been severe insect infestations. I was able to look at one field 2 weeks ago with Japanese Beetle grub damage in orchardgrass. I did note cutworm and slug damage in the Lebanon County no-till plots, but they are not at economic levels.

In general though, early weed control looks excellent, but the summer annuals are germinated and actively growing.

We are having a No-Till Farm Walk on June 21, 10 to noon in the Oley Valley if anyone would like to come. The emphasis is just getting successful no-till farmers to show other farmers what they are doing. It will be a good time to look at plant development and weeds.

Mena Hautau, mmh10@psu.edu
Berks County, CCA

SOUTHWEST

In the southwest oats and hay crop seeding concluded and corn planting kicked into high gear on May 6 and continued at a furious pace till May 17, when the rainy season began. Beginning on May 17 through May 22, farms in the southwest received anywhere from 4 - 6 inches of rain.

Corn that has emerged looks very good with excellent soil moisture to get it started.

Hay crop harvest also began in earnest late in the week of May 10. Some dairymen stopped planting corn to chop hay crop silage or haylage. Alfalfa weevil problems appear to me minor as producers harvested their first cutting.

Cereal Leaf Beetle attacked wheat the week of May 10 at crop threshold levels. However, with the rain and lack of suitable aerial application equipment, treatment was limited.

Colleague Kevin Fry and I were able to establish the first plots of a three year Tillage Trial on multiple farms. Cooperators are from Armstrong, Butler and Washington counties.

Don Fretts, dcf3@psu.edu@psu.edu
Fayette County


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Douglas Beegle, editor,
Professor, Agronomy, dbb@psu.edu

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