cropCENTRAL | Field Crop Production Resources

Tips on diagnosing diseases and other issues in the field

  • May 19, 2018

  • Chelsea Harbach

The following is posted on behalf of Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, Field Crops Pathologist for Growmark. This content is from the Field Crop Disease Hub webpage Dr. Kleczewski curated. 
Now that the field season is upon us, it is a good time to go over some tips and tricks for diagnosing field issues.  One item that I always mention to CCA’s and others involved in field-level work is that identifying a disease in the field is not always straight forward. …

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Diagnosing disease related issues in the field

  • May 18, 2018

  • Nathan Kleczewski

Well, it is that time of year where we start to see issues developing in the field.  Questions such as, “What happened?”  and  “Why me?” will become more common.  The key to managing diseases is proper diagnosis, and this starts in the field.  In my recent post on the Field Crop Disease Blog, I provide several tips for diagnosing issues in the field, and distinguishing disease related problems from abiotic issues.  Check out the post,…

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A fast start for the 2018 crop

  • May 18, 2018

  • Emerson Nafziger

We worried our way through the cool month of April, with 32 percent of corn and only 7 percent of soybean acres planted by April 29, and nothing emerged. During the first two weeks of May, the weather was warmer and drier than normal, and adding together corn and soybeans, Illinois farmers planted more than a million acres for each of the 10.3 “days suitable for fieldwork” between April 29 and May 13.
By May 13,…

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Black Cutworm: Management Considerations in Corn

  • May 18, 2018

  • Nick Seiter

With corn planting wrapping up throughout most of Illinois, the time has come to scout for cutworms. While several species of cutworms infest early season corn, black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) is the most likely to cause economic damage. We have received a handful of reports of cutting in southern Illinois, with more expected in the coming weeks as heat units begin to accumulate. If you are not doing so already, follow Kelly Estes’s reports on the Bulletin and through Twitter (@ILPestSurvey) for up to date information on black cutworm moth flights and degree-day accumulations.…

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Insect Trapping Update:Week Ending May 11, 2018

  • May 11, 2018

  • Kelly Estes

Black cutworm
Black cutworm moth flights continue across much of Illinois. Several counties reported second -and even third- significant moth flights (Madison, Champaign, and Lee). Several counties had near significant flights (Piatt and Coles). It is important to remember that lack of a reported significant flight and subsequent projected cutting dates does not take black cutworm out of the equation in your area. I have had reported of 1st-2nd instar feeding and even a report of 3rd-4th instar cutting in a couple areas of the state.…

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Tips for optimal use of FHB Risk Tool

  • May 10, 2018

  • Chelsea Harbach

The following is posted on behalf of Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, Field Crops Pathologist for Growmark. This content is from the Field Crop Disease Hub webpage Dr. Kleczewski curated. 
One of the hallmarks of the United States Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative was the development of the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction tool (or FHB Risk Tool).  This tool represents over 15 years of research conducted by plant pathologists around the country.  Several versions of the tool have been made available,…

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Optimal Use of The Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Tool

  • May 9, 2018

  • Nathan Kleczewski

With the recent rain blast and rain forecast in the next week, coupled with the wheat crop starting to move into flowering within the next 7-14 days, it is important to start thinking about Fusarium head blight risk.  I recently wrote an expanded article on the use of the FHB prediction tool that can be found by clicking here.
Some early flowering varieties will likely flower by the weekend.  Most varieties are near flag leaf and will require another 7 –…

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Update on wheat in Illinois

  • May 4, 2018

  • Nathan Kleczewski

This past week we spent a few days surveying wheat fields throughout the state in order to see how the crop is progressing as well as better understand what disease related issues we may be experiencing.  Most of the crop was near flag leaf emergence (Feekes growth stage 8/9) with a few fields near boot in locations further south.  The good news is that of the 26 fields we looked at, none had any stripe rust,…

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University of Illinois Weed Science Field Research Tour

  • May 3, 2018

  • Aaron Hager

The weed science program at the University of Illinois invites all weed management practitioners to our annual weed science field tour, which will be held on Wednesday, June 27 at the Crop Sciences Research and Education Center (a.k.a. South Farm), located south of campus on Wright Street extended.  Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and refreshments (coffee, juice, and doughnuts) will be available.  Preregistration is not required, but please let us know in advance if you will be bringing a large group of participants so we can plan accordingly for meals.…

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When scouting soybeans, don’t just scout the foliage

  • May 3, 2018

  • Chelsea Harbach

The following is posted on behalf of Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, Field Crops Pathologist for Growmark. This content is from the Field Crop Disease Hub webpage Dr. Kleczewski curated. 
Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a disease of concern for soybean producers in Illinois and the surrounding region.  The disease is caused by a soilborne fungus (Fusarium vilguliforme) that persists season to season in soybean residue and as resistant spores.  Fields affected with SDS may have stand issues early in the season and develop interveinal chlorosis or necrosis (yellow or brown foliage with veins remaining green) after R3. …

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