Seed

Some Early Planted Corn Showing Signs of Seedling Blights

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Source: Purdue University

Many eastern Corn Belt cornfields planted in mid-April when farmers got off to an early start have started to show symptoms of seedling blights, says Kiersten Wise, a Purdue Extension plant pathologist. Symptoms include uneven stands, stunted seedlings or reduced plant vigor. They can be caused by a number of scenarios, such as damage from cold temperatures, nutrient deficiencies, herbicide or anhydrous ammonia injury, wireworms or "wet feet," but also could be caused by seedling blights from fungi or fungal-like organisms.

Corn, Soybean Seedling Diseases Reported

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:11:00 +0000

By Alison Robertson, Gary Munkvold, Iowa State University

Several reports of losses in corn stand due to seedling disease are being reported from eastern Iowa. In the May 15 Crop Minute Roger Elmore reminds us that we have had a long corn planting season that began in mid-March and is still going in mid-May. Most of the seedling disease issues that are being reported are from fields that were planted April 23-27, just before we had a period of cold, wet conditions and soil temperatures dipped back down below 50° F.

Challenges in Genetically Engineered Crop Regulatory Process

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:48:00 +0000

American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America member leads team to determine delays.

Source: American Society of Agronomy

A new innovation can completely reshape an industry – inspiring both optimism and debate. The development of genetically engineered (GE) crops in the 1980s ignited a buzz in the agricultural community with the potential for higher crop yields and better nutritional content, along with the reduction of herbicide and pesticide use. GE crops grew to play a significant role in the U.S., with more than 160 million acres of farmland used to produce GE crops in 2011. However, the development of new GE crops has recently slowed to a trickle due to litigation over field testing and deregulation. University of Minnesota researchers Esther McGinnis, Alan Smith and Mary Meyer set out to determine the cause of these litigation lulls responsible for slowing GE progress in the U.S.

Syngenta Pipeline: New Technologies, Future Traits

Wed, 02 May 2012 19:05:00 +0000

From pest, disease and weed control to drought and heat tolerance, Syngenta is excited about their new and future product line up for corn and soybeans. David Morgan, region director with Syngenta, talks about what's new and what farmers can expect from Syngenta in the future.

Research Aims to Protect Bt Technology

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:36:00 +0000

Source: University of Tennessee

Pesticides derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis – widely known as Bt – have been important to farmers since the 1920s. Sixteen years ago, transgenic seed that produces insecticidal Bt proteins became available. Use of these transgenic Bt crops in the U.S. has reached 75% of cotton and 65% of corn acreage, while Bt pesticides are the most important insect control method available to organic farmers.

Corn Planting Date Considerations

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:26:00 +0000

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

For many growers, this unusually early spring may offer the earliest opportunity of all time for corn planting. This makes it especially important to weigh the risks and benefits of early planting.

Field History Should Play Important Role in Planting Decisions

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Source: Purdue University

Successfully controlling yield-limiting crop diseases comes down to analyzing field history and making the right management decisions for individual fields, says Kiersten Wise, a Purdue Extension plant pathologist. Once soil-borne crop diseases are present in a field, they rarely disappear. When the right weather conditions present themselves, diseases such as sudden death syndrome, root rot, white mold and seedling blight can substantially decrease crop yields.

Proper Disposal of Treated Seed Prevents Export Disruptions

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:13:00 +0000

Source: USSEC

The recent visit to Iowa by Chinese Vice Premier Xi Jingping helped underscore the importance of China as the primary overseas market for U.S. soybeans. However, the Chinese government has very strict rules forbidding the presence of any treated seed in commodity soybean shipments arriving at its ports. Because Chinese officials have detected some treated seed within U.S.-origin commodity soybean shipments during the past year, U.S. laws governing what must be done by farmers for proper and legal disposition of treated seeds remaining on farm after the planting season is over must be followed.

Drought-Tolerant Hybrids

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:23:00 +0000

Monica Patterson, senior marketing manager, technology launch at Pioneer, talks about Pioneers efforts in bringing drought-tolerant traits to the marketplace and the new Optimum AQUAmax option available from Pioneer for 2012.

Seed Selection Key to Managing Soybean Disease, Achieving High Yields

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:02:00 +0000

Source: Ohio State University

As spring planting season approaches, soybean growers should be aware that one of the best ways to manage soybean disease is to make sure they plant the right varieties, says Anne Dorance, an Ohio State University Extension soybean expert. In fact, seed selection is one of the most important decisions Ohio soybean farmers can make to ensure the best yield outcomes, says Dorrance, a plant pathologist with joint appointments with OSU Extension and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.