This has been an interesting couple of weeks in Colquitt County agriculture. The local corn crop ranges from V6 to R1. The cotton crop ranges from not planted to 2 leaf. The crop progress report released on May 10 reported that 24% of the Georgia cotton crop and 28% of the Georgia peanut crop had been planted. The average for the period from 2021 to 2025 for this date is 25% for cotton and 31% for peanuts. The wet conditions this week in Colquitt County has slowed planting efforts.

For the period of May 1 to May 16, 2026, according to the Sunbelt Ag Expo location of the UGA Weather Network, 7.65 inches of rain were reported. In 2024, 7.17 inches of rain were reported, and growers had to stop planting for a few days.

What about the corn disease situation? Dr. Bob mentioned the other day in a disease update that we are still in May and no rust has been found; a fungicide application now, even on tasseling corn, is premature. It is advisable to wait a bit, unless some other disease, such as northern or southern corn leaf blight, is a factor. While some fungicides are better than others, given current conditions—still in May with no rust found—any pre-mixed-mode-of-action fungicide, with price as a consideration, is appropriate.

A good resource from the Crop Protection Network about corn fungicides is available below. This publication was developed by the Crop Protection Network, a multi-state and international collaboration of university/provincial extension specialists and public/private professionals that provides unbiased, research-based information to farmers and agricultural personnel.

Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Foliar Diseases

I had a grower make the comment last week about DD-60s for cotton. The chart below is the DD-60 for the last three weeks (April 26-May 16). It shows we are below average with 207; the historic average is 242, and last year was 295. The weather data is from the UGA Weather Network at the Sunbelt Expo location.

A corn variety plot was planted at the Sunbelt Expo on March 26, 2026. For the period March 26 to May 16, 2026, we are above average for this period of time but behind last year for growing degree days for corn.

I had a question or two about boron deficiency in corn. According to the UGA Plant Tissue Analysis Handbook, boron deficiency is not likely to occur, except on very sandy, low-organic-matter soils. Boron deficiency can result in poor ear formation. If B is low at the leaf below the whorl stage, apply 2 pounds of B per acre through the system. Split the application, applying 1 pound per acre as soon as possible and the remainder just prior to tasseling. If B is low at the ear leaf stage and poor ear development is noted in the current crop, include B in future corn fertilizer programs at the rate of 2 pounds B per acre. No corrective treatment is recommended for the current crop if B is low at the ear leaf stage. Boron may be high in soils where B fertilizer has been applied for other crops. Boron levels greater than 30 ppm are excessive. Since corn is quite sensitive to B, great care needs to be exercised when this element is included in fertilizer treatments.

It has been an interesting planting season so far. The weather has changed from drought to wet in a matter of 2 weeks. I had a question or two about rotary hoeing cotton. According to Dr. Camp Hand in the May edition of the UGA Cotton Newsletter.

Crusting is when a thin compacted soil layer forms over a field. The reason this is a problem is because the cotton seedling often cannot exert enough pressure to break through the crust. If this crust isn’t broken up in time, the grower may be looking at a replant situation. A rotary hoe would only be used where crusting was a widespread issue in the field, but timing matters. As a general rule, a rotary hoe should be run within 10 days after planting to ensure that plants don’t just sit under the soil surface and rot. However, I have also had good luck using a rotary hoe as late as 15 days after planting, provided the seedlings I dug up exhibited normal development (a well-developed seedling radicle, pronounced hypocotyl hook, and no visual evidence of disease). The best thing to do is dig up some plants and see what you’re dealing with before making the decision to use a rotary hoe.

Forages: When do I fertilize my newly sprigged bermudagrass and seeded bahiagrass?

Nitrogen for newly sprigged bermudagrass: Apply 35-50 pounds of N per acre after the seedlings emerge and start to grow and a second application of 50-75 pounds of N per acre in midsummer to promote rapid coverage. Do not apply nitrogen at or before planting because this will increase competition from annual grass weeds.

Nitrogen for seeded bahiagrass: Apply 35-50 pounds of N per acre after the seedlings emerge and start to grow and a second application of 50-75 pounds of N per acre in mid-summer to promote rapid coverage. Do not apply nitrogen at or before planting because this will increase competition from annual grass weeds.

Phosphorus and Potash in bahiagrass and bermudgrass: Apply before planting according to soil sample recommendations. Incorporate it into the soil if you are using the stale seedbed method.

Lime: Apply 6-12 months before planting according to soil sample recommendations. Incorporate it into the soil if you are using the stale seedbed method.

Below is a great article about injecting nitrogen for pecan orchards.

Calculating Nitrogen Injection

Andrew Sawyer

This post was originally made by Dr. Lenny Wells in 2024. We are re-posting with a few updates since many growers are utilizing this method. Calibrating your nitrogen per acre is the purpose of this post.

We are in the middle of fertilization season again and many are choosing to inject their N through the irrigation system. This is a great way to fertilize pecan trees with N. It’s cheaper and allows you to spoon feed them a little at the time through the season. The trees respond well to this method of fertilization and you don’t lose as much N when applied this way. In reference to my point about being cheaper—its cheaper and more efficient only if you are applying your N based on the treated area. When you inject through a microsprinkler system you are covering only a small fraction of the orchard. READ MORE

Have a great week,

Jeremy M. Kichler

Colquitt County Extension Coordinator

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension does not endorse or guarantee the performance any products mentioned in this update.