The post-pollination scuttlebutt overheard in coffee shops throughout Indiana during mid- to late summer often revolves around the potential for severe stress that might reduce kernel set or kernel size in neighborhood cornfields.
114 articles tagged "corn".
As the crop advances into the V7–V10 stages, many areas of the state have experienced favorable conditions, with adequate moisture and the accumulation of growing degree days (GDDs) supporting rapid vegetative growth.
I am already getting questions on tar spot management as we finish planting corn here in Indiana.
There are a number of resources available for monitoring field crop diseases here in Indiana.
Corn is often harvested at grain moisture contents higher than the 15% moisture typically desired by grain buyers.
As folks get out to inspect corn ears, especially in northern counties where western bean cutworm is a greater concern, they will find “little black bugs,” especially where kernels are damaged. Their presence is in response to previous damage to kernels, which includes insect and/or bird feeding, hail, etc. In addition, hybrids with short ear husks seem to be more prone to exposing kernels, making easy access for rootworm and Japanese beetles to compromise ear tip kernels while feeding on silks. These small, opportunistic insects are feeding on decaying kernels and subsequent molds, NOT directly damaging the crop. They are simply fulfilling their niche in the cycle of life, “clean up in Aisle 3.”
Corn lodging, during rapid vegetative growth just before pollination, is not a welcome site.
Corn growth stages are quite variable across Indiana but a number of areas with early planted corn about waist high.
Recent wet, rainy weather has created some weed management challenges for Indiana growers. In this article we will hit on a few key points to consider based on current challenges. Delayed weed control in corn. Indiana corn growers rely heavily on premixes in corn that contain some combination of group 15 herbicides (metolachlor, acetochlor, pyroxasulfone), atrazine, mesotrione (Callisto), clopyralid (Stinger), and bicyclopyrone. Rain will not have completely washed all of the herbicide away, but may have compromised overall activity. Scout fields as soon as possible to determine if weeds are escaping. Obviously giant ragweed is a big concern, but wet conditions and dilution of atrazine can result in failures to control velvetleaf, burcucumber, morningglories, waterhemp, cocklebur and others. If corn is less than 12 inches tall and you haven’t used all of the atrazine allowed by the label, it would be wise to add atrazine to the other postemergence herbicides[Read More…]
Aerial drone application technology has recently become available and may address limitations by providing greater agility to monitor and apply under conditions where obstacles and poor field conditions limit current pesticide application equipment.
