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News Release
KNOW THIS YEAR'S PESTS TO DEVELOP NEXT YEAR'S PEST CONTROL
8/9/1999
Contact:
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Pat Arthur
Mycogen Seeds
(651) 405-5953 |
Heidi Holte
Bader Rutter & Associates
(414) 784-7200 |
Eagan, Minn., Aug. 9, 1999 – As the crop year progresses, many growers find
inconsistencies in their pest control programs. Scouting fields prior to harvest helps
growers evaluate which methods worked and allows them to plan better strategies for next
year.
According to John Long, an agronomist with Mycogen Seeds,
poor corn and soybean stands later in the season can indicate undetected weed species and
insect problems that occurred earlier in the year.
"Weed species populations are constantly changing
within any given field," he says. "It’s vital for growers to keep accurate
records and to clearly identify infested fields before problem weeds spread."
Growers can obtain a weed identification guide from their
local county agent or university to identify which weeds are still present at harvest.
Long says the information gathered in pre-harvest scouting allows growers to plan a
properly focused herbicide program for the next year. After harvest, he advises that
growers take soil samples to check organic matter and soil pH levels.
"Both organic matter and soil pH can impact the
effectiveness of a herbicide," he says. "Growers may need to add lime to
neutralize soils and then change herbicide rates accordingly."
In the spring, Long suggests planting CLEARFIELD* corn
hybrids, formerly know as IMI-Corn. These hybrids allow the use of postemergence
imidazolinone herbicides, such as LIGHTING*, which provides early season and residual
control of a broad spectrum of weeds and grasses. He also notes that STS and Roundup
Ready� soybean programs provide good annual weed control.
While weeds can deprive plants of proper nutrients, insects
can wipe them out altogether. Although the development of ECB-resistant hybrids has been a
leap forward for insect control, Long reports that 90 percent of stand-reduction
complaints he now receives are due to other insects.
"European corn borer (ECB) larvae die almost
immediately after taking their first bite of a Bt hybrid plant’s leaves or
pollen," he says. "However, the Bt in the plant does not effectively
control other yield-robbing insects, such as white grub, seed corn maggot and wireworms
for first-year corn crops."
Long says corn following soybeans or sod typically
experiences more insect problems. He suggests coupling a Bt hybrid with a refuge of
conventional corn, in addition to evaluating the need for an insecticide.
"For instance, hybrids with a Bt gene like
Mycogen’s NatureGard� NGBt1 fit well in these programs because they can protect the
corn plant’s yield potential from ECB," explains Long. "But an insecticide
still may be necessary to protect against other insects."
After reviewing all weed and insect management
considerations, Long says growers can decide which hybrids are best for them by
determining yield goal and matching maturity and agronomic characteristics to their area.
A local business unit of Dow AgroSciences, Mycogen Seeds
markets grain corn, silage corn and nutritionally enhanced corn seed, as well as sunflower, canola, soybean, alfalfa and sorghum seed through the Corn Belt, the eastern
United States and in major dairy areas throughout the nation.
Mycogen is an acknowledged leader in developing
technology-based products to control agricultural pests and improve food and fiber
production. For more information on Mycogen Seeds, go to www.mycogen.com on the Internet.
-End-
*CLEARFIELD and LIGHTNING are trademarks of American
Cyanamid Company. Roundup Ready is a trademark of Monsanto.
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