Manganese Deficiency showing in Soybean

It is that time of year again when we are beginning to see manganese deficiency in soybeans. Manganese defiiciency is a common and recurring deficiency on the sandy soils of southern New Jersey. Left untreated manganese deficiency can reduce yields. Deficiency results in reduced leaf chlorophyll content. This commonly appears as interveinal chlorosis (the tissue between the veins turns yellow while the veins in the leaf remain green). Extensive research by RCE soil fertility specialist Dr. Joe Heckman has demonstrated the economic benefit of applying manganese fertilizer to deficient soybeans. Information about manganese deficiency can be found in the RCE publication "Soil Fertility Recommendations for Soybeans".

Bill Bamka

Free Plant Management Subscriptions Courtesy of the Soybean Checkoff

The United Soybean Board(checkoff) and the Plant Management Network (PMN) are providing soybean growers and the consultants who work for them free subscriptions (only 50 left on a first-come, first-serve basis). Sign up now before they are taken. You can sign up for a free 1-year subscription to all the Plant Management Network's content through a signup form at the following short link: http://bit.ly/GFDCzj.
This subscription includes access to PMN's entire collection of 50-plus “Focus on Soybeans” webcasts, featuring actionable crop management information from experts who work in the field. PMN subscriptions also include access to thousands of pest control trials. crop images, Extension fact sheets and other information.  A listing of PMN's soybean-inclusive resources can be found at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/subscriptions/details/soybean.asp

Zane R. Helsel

Grasshoppers in Soybeans

While out scouting some soybean fields across Burlington County I was starting to see young grasshoppers, particularly in no-till fields. This is a good reminder to scout fields for grasshoppers the next few weeks. When we begin to plant double crop fields after wheat, growers should pay attention to grasshoppers. It is possible to have stand reductions from early grasshopper feeding. There are no good economic thresholds for grasshoppers. Treatments may be required if 30 to 40% defoliation occurs up to the pre-bloom stage.

Bill Bamka

Armyworms

We are getting reports of true armyworms in Burlington County in small grain fields. As small grains begin to dry down watch for armyworms moving into adjacent corn fields. Also, scout corn fields that were planted into rye cover. Effective control is achieved when armyworm larvae are less than one inch. This late in the season we need to keep an eye on the heads in wheat fields. In wheat, armyworms tend to nibble on the tips of kernels rather than to clip heads, populations around 2 to 3 worms per linear foot between rows are generally required to justify control. When wheat is close to harvest and armyworms are longer than 1.5 inches and no head clipping has occurred control may not be needed. Also remember that we are approaching harvest, so pre harvest intervals will come into play when choosing insecticides Complete scouting and threshold information for small grains can be found in the mid-atlantic pest management recommendations for field crops. Information on dealing with armyworms in corn is also available in the recommendation guide.

Bill Bamka

Postemergence Corn Products to Provide Residual Weed Control

-Mark VanGessel, University of Delaware Extension Weed Specialist
Weekly Crop Update

Some corn fields need to be sprayed for weeds, but the corn is only 3 to 4 collars. In many ways this is good because the corn leaves will not interfere with herbicide spray pattern and will allow for maximum control. However, that means it may be two to three weeks until the corn canopies over. So relying on glyphosate or Liberty for postemergence weed control, could run into situations of weeds emerging between the postemergence sprays and the time corn canopies over. You should consider a residual herbicide in this scenario. Be sure to read individual labels for information on maximum corn size and recommended adjuvants. The following table of products will help with your selection: