Stay ahead of crop diseases

By Andi Anderson

As the growing season reaches its final stages, it is vital for farmers to consistently monitor the health and conditions of their crops.

This year has seen varied weather patterns across different regions, ranging from early wet periods to mid-summer heat, and a combination of dry and wet spells depending on the location.

Farmers are encouraged to closely monitor their crops, particularly for diseases such as tar spot in corn. Current hybrids and experimental varieties are being actively evaluated across research plots in Indiana and Ohio.

Field observations from farmers are invaluable in helping researchers identify products with improved tolerance to emerging diseases like tar spot.

In addition to tar spot, farmers should remain vigilant for other diseases such as gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight. Sharing observations with fellow farmers and research teams will allow for a collective assessment of how well hybrids are coping with these challenges.

As the corn crop nears harvest, it is also important to examine plant integrity and stalk strength. Simple tests like the pinch test or push test can help identify potential stalk lodging issues, enabling farmers to prioritize which fields to harvest first.

In soybeans, while disease and insect pressure have been relatively low, it remains important to stay alert for potential issues. Sudden death syndrome (SDS) has been observed in some areas, particularly in earlier planted soybean fields. Symptoms include interveinal chlorosis and leaf death on upper leaves.

It is crucial to differentiate SDS from brown stem rot (BSR), which has similar symptoms but differs in the extent of internal stem discoloration.

Frogeye leaf spot has also been identified in some soybean fields. This disease relies heavily on field observations for assessment, so farmers are encouraged to report any occurrences and note the affected varieties.

This feedback is essential for refining soybean lineups and ensuring that products with the best disease tolerance are offered.

The more information that can be gathered from field observations, the better informed recommendations can be made to maximize yield and profitability.

Farmers are urged to reach out with any questions or suggestions for improving product lineups and placement strategies. Their input is crucial to the collective success in managing crop health and ensuring a productive harvest.

Photo Credit: istock-urpspoteko