Peanuts: The maturity with irrigated Georgia 06G have been running anywhere from 135 to 150 days at the maturity clinics at the office. Dryland fields have been variable on the maturity and it depends on when they suffered from drought conditions and set pegs. Below are few suggested tips/questions to consider for determining when to DIG: You cannot treat all non-irrigated fields the same – Maturity needs to be examined on a field by field basis and not as much on Days after Planting. Growers may need to start checking maturity of dryland peanuts as early as 100 DAP. Some dryland peanuts have stopped advancing and now are coming loose in pod. When we put dryland peanuts on the board we see a lot of fields with a split crop. Typically, a profile that is split evenly, the decision is usually to base digging on the leading edge. However; if the leading edge is minimal compared to the fruit load behind the “split”, then the decision is more difficult and cannot be answered easily. Please segregate irrigated and non-irrigated acres, do not take risk in contaminating good quality peanuts with non-irrigated that might have aflatoxin (dryland corners). Disease Considerations!! We often get into a debate about disease management when it gets close to digging time. Below are some typical situations that peanut growers may find themselves in and suggestions for control.
- Grower is four or more weeks away from harvest and currently has excellent disease control.
a. Suggestion: I recommend that the grower apply at least one more fungicide at least for leaf spot control. b. Suggestion: Given the low cost of tebucoazole, the grower may consider applying a tan-mix of tebuconazole (7.2 fl oz) + chlorothalonil (1.0 pt/A) for added insurance of white mold and leaf spot. NOTE: If white mold is not an issue, then the grower should stick with a leaf spot spray only.
- Grower is four or more weeks away from harvest and has disease problems in the field.
a. If the problem is with leaf spot: Grower should insure that any fungicide applied has systemic/curative activity. If a grower wants to use chlorothalonil, then suggest that they mix a product like thiophanate methyl (Topsin M), cyproconazole (Alto), propiconazole (Tilt, Bumper) with the chlorothalonil. Other growers may consider applying Headline. b. If the problem is white mold: Grower should continue with fungicide applications for management of white mold. If they have completed their regular white mold program, then they should extend the program, perhaps with a tebuconazole/chlorothalonil mix. If the grower is unhappy with the level of control from their fungicide program, then we can offer alternative fungicides to apply. c. If the problem is underground white mold: Underground white mold is difficult to control. Applying a white mold fungicide ahead of irrigation or rain, or applying at night, can help to increase management of this disease.
- Grower is three or less weeks away from projected harvest and does not currently have a disease issue. Good news! This grower should be good-to-go for the remainder of the season and no more fungicides are required.
- Grower is three or less weeks away from harvest and has a problem with disease.
a. If leaf spot is a problem and 2-3 weeks away from harvest, a last leaf spot fungicide application may be beneficial. If leaf spot is too severe, then a last application will not help. b. If white mold is a problem and harvest is 3 weeks away, then it is likely beneficial to apply a final white mold fungicide. If harvest is 2 weeks or less away, then it is unlikely that a fungicide will be of any benefit. c. NOTE: If harvest is likely to be delayed by threat from a hurricane or tropical storm, then the grower may reconsider recommendations for end-of-season fungicide applications. Please let me know if you have additional questions.
Soybeans!! For Colquitt County soybean growers, Asian soybean rust was confirmed in our Soybean sentinel plots in Tift County in Friday, 12 September. Soybean rust will likely spread throughout southern Georgia as environmental conditions are now quite favorable. Soybeans are susceptible until the R6 stage where the seeds have reached full size and are touching in the pod.
Cotton!! Tips on Cotton Defoliation!! Lets talk about some times for defoliating cotton. Below are some points to consider. 1. Defoliants should be applied in a minimum spray volume of 5 gallons per acre in air and 10 to 20 gallons per acre by ground. Defoliation issues have been often related to low spray volumes or poor canopy penetration. 2. To determine if bolls are mature enough for ethyphon involves slicing bolls with a sharp knife. Bolls are considered mature–and ready for harvest aid applications–when bolls cannot be sliced without “stringing” the lint. In addition, bolls are mature when the seed embryo contains only tiny folded leaves (no “jelly” within the developing seed) and the seedcoat begins to turn yellow or tan. 3. Once the NACB (nodes above cracked boll) has reached 4 it is generally safe to apply harvest aids.
Please see the latest news on the Georgia Cotton News website (www.ugacotton.com).
2013 Georgia Cotton Research-Extension Report
Cotton Marketing News– September 11, 2014
2014 Farm Bill Update: Acreage History for Base Reallocation
Corn Variety Test Data!! Statewide Variety Testing has begun posting the 2014 Corn Performance preliminary data, as it becomes available, to the Variety Testing web site www.swvt.uga.edu. Keep checking the web site to see what has been posted. The final report will probably be available in mid-November.
TRANSFORM WG INSECTICIDE SECTION 18 EMERGENCY USE EXCEPTION FOR SORGHUM HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA There has been some white sugar cane aphid confirmed in Colquitt County. A Section 18 Emergency Use Exception for Transform WG insecticide on sorghum has been approved for the state of Georgia as of September, 11, 2014. Transform WG may be applied to grain and forage sorghum for control of sugarcane aphid from now until November 30, 2014. If you need some more information about this call or email.
Thanks for your time,
Jeremy Kichler
County Extension Coordinator
Colquitt County