Black cutworm pheromone trap cooperators continue to faithfully report their week’s catches and the numbers have been far from impressive. We are still waiting for our first “intensive capture,” that being 9 or more moths captured over two nights. Comparing moth captures from the previous four years, refer to accompanying graph, it is obvious that black cutworm moth arrival into Indiana has been lower than normal. On the other hand, armyworm moth captures in black light traps located at the Purdue Agricultural Centers throughout the state are starting to pick up significantly. Doug Johnson, University of Kentucky, has been reporting large numbers captured in their pheromone traps for several weeks.
Obviously making predictions from pheromone and/or black light captures is not an exact science, considering all the variables such as trap numbers, larval survival, crop development, weedy growth, etc., but it has worked nicely in the past. With that disclaimer said, it looks as though armyworm will be a pest to contend with in the next 2-3 weeks. It should be mentioned, that current moth captures are well below the numbers of 2001, the last year of a widespread armyworm outbreak. We will continue to watch this situation as it develops in Kentucky and Indiana.
We advocate scouting in emerging fields to “ground truth” the science. As we learned in 2006, don’t rely on seed-applied insecticides to fully protect the stand from black cutworm. Too, we know from experience how quickly armyworm can damage fields of wheat, grass pastures, and corn. Happy scouting!
Don’t Forget the Alfalfa – (John Obermeyer and Larry Bledsoe)
Alfalfa fields in southern and central Indiana need to be inspected immediately for weevil tip feeding and skeletonization of leaves. The current “rain break” should afford you the opportunity to look. Use the following heat unit map to determine the proper management action for your area of the state. See last week’s Pest&Crop #5, May 2, 2008, for treatment guidelines and recommended insecticides. Happy scouting!
Asiatic Garden Beetle is Back – (John Obermeyer)
Brian Willard, Crop Tech Consulting, called this past week to report that some grubs of the Asiatic garden beetle have returned to a field in Elkhart County. Though at this point, the numbers seemed to be lower than last year. For a nice primer of Asiatic garden beetle, see Chris DiFonzo’s, MSU extension entomologist, article for their Field Crop Advisory Team Alert newsletter (No. 3, April 15, 2008) at <http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat08field/fc04-17-08.htm>. Please help us know the extent of this pest’s distribution in Indiana by reporting suspect grubs, 765-494-4563.
Size comparison of mature grubs of japanese beetle (left) and Asiatic garden beetle (right)
(Photo credit: John Obermeyer)
A key characteristic of the Asiatic garden beetle grub, enlarged maxillary palps
(Photo credit: John Obermeyer)
The Plant Management Network is a unique resource for the applied plant science research and education. The network is designed to provide plant science practitioners fast electronic access to peer-reviewed research and news releases from industry and universities. The Plant Management Network offers an extensive searchable database comprised of thousands of web-based resource pages from the network’s partner universities, companies, and associations. In addition, the network’s four peer-reviewed citable journals, Applied Turfgrass Science, Crop Management, Forage and Grazinglands, and Plant Health Progress, provide credible current information in areas important to practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
The Plant Management Network recently led the development of educational presentations on various aspects of soybean production and management. The presentations are narrated, Powerpoint presentations, and feature the latest research results and recommendations by soybean production and pest management specialists from across the country. The presentations can be viewed while you are sitting at your computer or they could be projected onto a larger screen for use in a larger meeting. The presentations that are currently posted at the site include:
• Weed Management in Soybean
• The Soybean Checkoff: Shaping the Future of the Industry
• Fungicide Seed Treatments for Soybean
• The ipmPIPE: A New Tool for Enhancing IPM Use in Soybean
• Choosing Specialty Soybeans for the Right Niche Markets
• Soybean Viruses
• Soybean Production
• Asian Soybean Rust
• Sudden Death Syndrome
• Soybean Cyst Nematode: Biology, Scouting, and Management
• Soybean White Mold
New presentations will be added to the site each month. To view the presentations go to this website:
In previous issues of Pest&Crop (nos. 2 and 5) I discussed fungicides available for use on wheat and the current disease situation. In the past week, there has been little change in the status of leaf blotch. If lesions can be found on the third or fourth leaf below the flag leaf, then the disease could become a problem if we experience warm, wet weather over the next couple of weeks. However, the disease is almost non-existent in fields where I have my research plots (Tippecanoe and Jennings Counties). Wheat in these plots is approaching the boot stage, so there is time for disease to develop, but the absence of any infection on lower leaves suggests that leaf blotch will not be a problem this year.
The weather-based risk model for Fusarium head blight (scab) that I discussed in last week’s issue of Pest&Crop still shows low risk for all of Indiana. Wheat in the far southern part of the state has reached the flowering stage. As wheat farther north reaches the flowering stage (Feekes 10.51) over the next few days, look at the model to see if the risk level changes.
If head blight does become a threat, there are two newly registered fungicides available to suppress the disease. These are Folicur (tebuconazole) and Caramba (metconazole). Apply these products at Feekes 10.51 to suppress head blight. Labels for both of these products point out that they are toxic to aquatic life and give specific directions for avoiding contamination of surface water. Follow these directions carefully.
Germination Events in Corn - (Bob Nielsen)
Germination is the renewal of enzymatic activity that results in cell division and elongation and, ultimately, embryo emergence through the seed coat. Germination is triggered by absorption of water through the seed coat. Corn kernels must absorb (imbibe) about 30 % of their weight in water before germination begins. Less than optimum absorption of water (perhaps due to a rapidly drying seed zone) may slow or stop germination. Repeated wetting/drying cycles can decrease seed viability.
By comparison, soybeans must imbibe about 50 % of their weight in water. But since soybeans are approximately 2/3 the weight of corn kernels, the total amount of absorbed water required for germination is relatively similar.
The visual indicators of germination occur in a distinct sequence. The radicle root emerges first, near the tip end of the kernel, within two to three days in warm soils with adequate moisture. In cooler or drier soils, the radicle root may not emerge until one to two weeks after planting.
The coleoptile (commonly called the “spike”) emerges next from the embryo side of the kernel within one to many days of the appearance of the radicle, depending on soil temperature. The coleoptile initially negotiates its way toward the dent end of the kernel by virtue of the elongation of the mesocotyl. The coleoptile is a rigid piece of plant tissue that completely encloses the four to five embryonic leaves (plumule) that formed during grain development of the seed production year. The plumule leaves slowly enlarge and eventually cause the coleoptile to split open as it nears the soil surface.
The lateral seminal roots emerge last, near the dent end of the kernel. Even though these and the radicle root are technically nodal roots, they do not comprise what is typically referred to as the permanent nodal root system. The first set of so-called “permanent” roots begins elongating at approximately the V1 leaf stage (1 leaf with visible leaf collar) and is clearly visible by V2.
Click here to view “Visible Indicators of Germination in Corn”
When temperatures are optimum, these three parts of the seedling may emerge from the kernel on nearly the same day. Excessively cool soils may delay the appearance of the coleoptile and lateral seminal roots for more than a week after the radicle root emerges. It is not uncommon in cold planting seasons to dig up kernels two weeks after planting and find only short radicle roots and no visible coleoptiles.
When excessively cold and/or wet soils delay germination and/or emergence, the kernel and young seedling are subjected to lengthier exposure to damaging factors such as soil-borne seed diseases, insect feeding and injury from pre-plant or pre-emergent herbicides and carryover herbicides from a previous crop.
Hardman, L.L. and J.L. Gunsolus. 1998. Corn Growth and Development & Management Information for Replant Decisions. Univ. of Minnesota Ext. Service Pub. No. FO-05700. [On-Line]. Available at <http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/DC5700.html>. (URL accessed 5/7/08).
Nielsen, RL (Bob). 2008a. The Emergence Process in Corn. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [On-Line]. Available at <http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/Emergence.html>. (URL accessed 5/7/08).
Nielsen, RL (Bob). 2008b. Requirements for Uniform Germination and Emergence of Corn. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [On-Line]. Available at <http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/GermEmergReq.html>. (URL accessed 5/7/08).
Ritchie, S.W., J.J. Hanway, and G.O. Benson. 1993. How a Corn Plant Develops (SP-48). Iowa State Univ. [On-Line]. Available at <http://www.extension.iastate.edu/hancock/info/corn.htm>. (URL accessed 5/7/08).
The Emergence Process in Corn - (Bob Nielsen)
Successful germination alone does not guarantee successful emergence of a corn crop. The coleoptile must reach the soil surface before its internal leaves emerge from the protective tissue of the coleoptile. Growth stage VE refers to emergence of the coleoptile or first leaves through the soil surface (Ritchie et.al., 1993).
As with all of corn growth and development, germination and emergence are dependent on temperature, especially soil temperature. Corn typically requires from 100 to 120 GDD (growing degree days) to emerge (Nielsen, 2008b; Nielsen, 2008c). Under warm soil conditions, the calendar time from planting to emergence can be as little as 5 to 7 days. Under cold soil conditions, emergence can easily take up to four weeks.
Elongation of the mesocotyl elevates the coleoptile towards the soil surface. The mesocotyl is the tubular, white, stemlike tissue connecting the seed and the base of the coleoptile. Technically, the mesocotyl is the first internode of the stem.
Useful Tip: Physiologically, mesocotyls have the capability to lengthen from at least a 6-inch planting depth. Realistically, corn can be planted at least three inches deep if necessary to reach adequate moisture.
As the coleoptile nears the soil surface, exposure of the mesocotyl to the red light portion of the solar radiation spectrum halts mesocotyl elongation. Continued expansion of the leaves inside the coleoptile ruptures the coleoptile tip, allowing the first true leaf to emerge above the soil surface. Since the depth at which the mesocotyl senses red light is fairly constant, the resulting depth of the crown (base) of the coleoptile is nearly the same (1/2 to 3/4 inch) at seeding depths of one-inch or greater.
Useful Tip: When corn is seeded very shallow (less than about 1/2 inch), the crown of the coleoptile will naturally be closer to the soil surface if not right at the surface. Subsequent development of the nodal root system can be restricted by exposure to high temperatures and dry surface soils.