Weekly Update 4/30/21

Dicamba Label Update…

On April 26, 2021 the U.S. EPA declined Georgia’s 24(C) XtendiMax label request that would have improved grower flexibility when applying this herbicide. Thus, all XtendiMax applications must follow requirements in accordance with the federal label. UGA is committed and excited to work with the GDA and the U. S. EPA to resolve this challenge. On-target pesticide applications are essential to farm sustainability. Contact your local Extension Agent if we can be of assistance. 

Pecan Casebearers?

Several county agents have been participating in a pecan nut casebearer (PNC) monitoring project across Georgia. I have been monitoring a location in Colquitt County over the last several weeks. As of 4/30/2021, no PNC moths have been captured at the Colquitt County location. If you would like an update on PNC activity then go the link below. If you have any questions please contact your local county Extension agent.

https://pecan.agpestmonitor.org/pecan-nut-casebearer-risk-map-for-2020/

How many pounds of peanut seed do I need?

As we get into peanut planting season, growers ask how many pounds of peanuts they need to plant per acre. Below is a chart that illustrates seed weight, seed count per pound and how many pounds of seed per acre based off seeding rate. The seeding rates include 5, 6 and 7 seed per row foot.

Hey Bob, I have a question about how to apply liquid nematicides and fungicides in-furrow…

Growers are likely asking now if it is ok to “dribble” liquid nematicides and fungicides in-furrow through and orifice, or if the liquids need to be sprayed into the furrow, as with a flat fan tip turned “cock-eyed” to 45 degrees?

My answer is that both dribbling the fungicides or nematicides through an orifice or spraying into the furrow can be effective.  Here are some points to consider.

1.  Dribbling the product through an orifice directly onto the seed increases the amount of product that is DIRECTLY in contact with the seed.  Care should be taken to check the label and perhaps contact the chemical rep to make sure there is no increased risk to damaging the seed or young seedling with the product concentrated in such a way.  (Usually there is not a problem.)
2. If the product is sprayed into the open furrow, there is better coverage of the seed AND the soil surrounding the seed which may lead to better protection of the germinating seed the young seedling.
3. If growers are trying to apply both a liquid product (for example Velum) and a granular product (for example Thimet) at the same time, there can be problems if the liquid spray boogers up the granular product, possibly plugging the liquid and/or the flow of the granule.  Such rarely occurs when liquid product is dribbled through an orifice but can easily occur when sprayed.  Care should be taken to consider the position of the spray tip in relation to the granular application tube.
4. In short, applying products in-furrow to protect against diseases and nematodes is a critical strategy to protect yield.  Growers should always consult the product label and seek additional help if needed to determine what application strategy is best for them.

Tips on Managing Seedling Disease In Cotton

I have received a question or two about managing cotton seedling disease.  Below are a few points to consider from the UGA Cotton Production Guide.

Good management practices to reduce the chance of seedling disease include the following:

• Plant in warm soils where the temperature at a 4-inch depth is above 65° F and where the 5-day forecast doesn’t call for cooler or cooler/wetter weather. NOTE: Cotton growers should NOT plant cotton if at all possible when conditions are cool and wet or if the forecast calls for such conditions soon after planting, even if they plan to use additional fungicide treatments!
• Plant seed on a raised bed since soil temperatures in the bed are generally slightly warmer than surrounding soil and drainage is likely to be better. Cotton planted in conservation tillage is not grown on raised beds, thus potentially increasing the threat from seedling disease.
• Avoid planting seed too deeply. Seed that is planted too deeply results in longer periods before the young seedling cracks the soil surface, increasing the likelihood of seedling disease.
• Correct soil pH with lime (pathogenic fungi are more tolerant to acidic soils than are cotton seedlings; pH should be in the range of 6.0 to 6.5).
• Fertilize according to a soil test so as to promote rapid seedling growth; however care should be taken to avoid “burning” the seedling with excessive rates of at-plant fertilizers.
• Avoid chemical injury through the use of excessive amounts or improper application of insecticides, fungicides, or pre-plant herbicides.
• Plant only high quality seed as indicated by the percent germination in the standard seed and cool germination tests. Preferably, cool germination test results should be above 70%, though 60-69% is still adequate.
• Additional seed treatment fungicides such as Dynasty CST, Trilex advanced, and Acceleron, beyond the “base” treatment can significantly reduce the amount of seedling disease, increase stands, and potentially improve final yields where conditions are favorable for disease development. However, significant outbreaks of seedling diseases are a sporadic problem. Because we cannot reliably predict which years will have greater amounts of seedling disease, growers can become justifiably frustrated when trying to determine the economic benefit of the additional fungicide.

How late can I plant my corn?

I have received a couple of corn planting date questions this week due to raising corn prices. According to the UGA Corn Production guide, optimum planting windows will vary based upon your location in Georgia. Corn planting can begin as early as mid-March in South Georgia but may not begin until mid-May in north Georgia. Early planted
corn will traditionally out yield late planted corn regardless of region within the state. Delaying corn planting into the summer can dramatically decrease yield potential. Generally speaking, yields decline at a rate of ¾ bushels per day as you progress later in the planting window and can rise to about 2.5 bushels per day when planting after the optimal window. If corn planting is delayed into the summer yield losses become much more dramatic. Studies in Tifton indicate that stress and disease tolerant hybrids planted under irrigation in late-May to early-June only yield approximately 50% of mid-March to early-April plantings.