No. 9 July 9, Inside this Issue...

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1 No. 9 July 9, 2009 Inside this Issue... Scout for Leafy Spurge Flea Beetles... 1 Wheat Midge Emergence and Scouting... 1 Soybean Aphid: First North Dakota Sighting... 2 Continue to Scout for Cereal Aphids... 3 Diamondback Moth Alert in Flowering Canola... 3 Correction - Barley Thrips... 4 Crop Water Use... 4 Dry Bean Observations... 5 NDSU IPM Field Survey Update - July Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV)... 6 Soybean Rust/Aphid Scouting Begins in Sentinel Plots this Week... 7 Dry Bean Disease/Insect Survey Will Begin this Week. 7 Sunflower Rust Update... 8 Protein Enhancement for Spring Wheat/Durum... 8 Ranking Weed Competitiveness in Soybean... 8 New Invasive Weed Publication Available... 9 Around the State... 9 SCOUT FOR LEAFY SPURGE FLEA BEETLES Leafy spurge flea beetles (Aphthona species) are an effective means of controlling the noxious weed leafy spurge in North Dakota (Fig. 1). This group of flea beetles is host-specific to the leafy spurge plant, which makes them an ideal biological control choice. Most of North Dakota has accumulated over 1,000 growing degree day (GDD, Fig. 2) and scouting should begin for adult leafy spurge flea beetles. Flea beetles should be collected between 1,200 and the 1,600 (see map below) using the sunflower GDD on NDAWN. Adult flea beetles can be collected with sweep nets. After late July, flea beetles begin to lay eggs and should not be moved. Leafy spurge flea beetle typically take three to five years to establish and impact leafy spurge infestations. Figure 2. (Source: NDAWN) WHEAT MIDGE EMERGENCE AND SCOUTING The 2009 risk forecast for wheat midge infestation was low throughout most of the state based on the previous season s cocoon counts in the soil (see previous issue of Crop & Pest Report #3, May 28, 2009). Although the risk is low, isolated pockets of economic populations of wheat midge can still occur that wheat midge is emerging at the same time as wheat is in the susceptible stage (heading to early flowering), and environmental conditions (moist soils, warm temperatures, calm winds) are favorable. A degree day (DD) model using daily temperatures to calculate DD accumulation can be used to predict the emergence of adult wheat midge. Events for the midge population (degree day base = 40 F) are listed in the table below. DD Biological Event 450 Midge breaks the larval cocoon and moves close to soil surface to form the pupal cocoon % of the females will have emerged About 50% of the females will have emerged About 90% of the females will have emerged. Figure 1. Black leafy spurge flea beetle (photo by USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, Bugwood.org) Typically, wheat midge is emerging during the first week of July in the northern counties of North Dakota. However, this year the DDs are behind normal and just at 1

2 <1,300 DD in the northern tier (Fig. 3). Wheat midge DD maps for North Dakota are available on the NDAWN website, use March 1 as the start date (enter in planting date box) and select Midge degree days. Figure 3. Wheat midge degree day map (Source: NDAWN) Scout for adult wheat midge at night (after 9:00 PM) during warm temperatures >60 degrees F, and light winds <6 mph. The adult wheat midge is an orange color, fragile, very small insect approximately half the size of a mosquito (Fig. 4). It is about inch (2-3 mm) long with three pairs of long legs. There is a pair of wings, which are oval in shape, transparent and fringed with fine hairs. Two eyes are conspicuous and black in color. Typically, the most significant flight period for the entire wheat midge population extends over a 14 to 18 day window of time within a region. Individual adult midge may survive from 3 to 7 days, depending on favorable conditions (warm, calm, humid weather). Hard red spring wheat at high risk for wheat midge infestation can be identified based on degree days. Degree days are then used to help identify the high risk planting window for hard red spring wheat. Wheat fields planted between DD will be heading (susceptible crop stage) at the time wheat midge is emerging and are at greatest risk to infestation. In North Dakota, planting dates at high risk in southern tier are May 7 to June 1, in central tier - May 12 to June 12, and in northern tier - May 18 to June 16 (Fig. 5). The window of high risk planting dates is wide due to the cool temperatures (low DD units per day) this spring. As a result, the majority wheat fields will be at risk for wheat midge infestation; fortunately, the population level is low. So, the bottom line is it s always good insurance to scout fields for wheat midge infestations and avoid any unexpected yield losses with the good wheat prices! A NDSU Extension Entomology bulletin on wheat midge is available at the following weblink: Figure 5. SOYBEAN APHID: FIRST NORTH DAKOTA SIGHTING Soybean aphids (Fig. 6) have been found in two southeastern counties (Cass and Barnes Counties) of North Dakota this past week. Figure 4. Adult wheat midge Economic thresholds are: - Hard Red Spring Wheat = one wheat midge per 4-5 heads - Durum = one wheat midge per 7-8 heads. Figure 6. Soybean aphids (P. Beauzay) 2

3 Numbers are low at present - <10 aphids per plant and <15% of the plants infested on early V-2 to V-3 stage beans. The economic threshold is 250 aphids per plant on 80% of the plants in field from late vegetative to R5 (beginning seed). In North Dakota, we typically don t treat for high populations of soybean aphids until late July into August. Nevertheless, it s a good time to get started monitoring for soybean aphids. Populations can build quickly with the moderate temperatures, which are favorable for aphid development. We are being to monitor our soybean sentinel plots for the IPM PIPE ( this week. We will post frequent updates from scouting reports in the Crop & Pest Report. So, stay tuned! Larvae are green and about ½ inch long when mature (Fig. 8). Larvae feed on the leaves, buds, flowers, seed pods, the green outer layer of the stems, and occasionally, the developing seeds. The amount of damage will depend on the crop stage and the larva densities and size. Extensive feeding on the flowers will delay plant maturity, cause the crop to develop unevenly, and significantly reduce seed yield (Fig. 9). As leaves wilt and drop in late July to early August, the larvae will feed on the stem, pods, and developing seeds. Damaged seeds will not fill completely and may shatter. Severely damaged pods appear whitish in contrast to the normal yellowing and browning of ripening pods. CONTINUE TO SCOUT FOR CEREAL APHIDS Scout fields for cereal aphids through early flowering. If weather continues dry with moderate temperatures (mid-70s F to 80s F), aphid populations can explode quickly and reach economic threshold. To protect small grains from yield loss due to aphid feeding, use either economic threshold: - 85% stems with at least one aphid present, prior to complete heading aphids per stem prior to complete heading After heading, the yield loss due to aphid feeding is minimal. DIAMONDBACK MOTH ALERT IN FLOWERING CANOLA High numbers of adult moths (>100 moths per trap week) are being captured in pheromone traps (Fig. 7) in north central and northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. Field should be monitored from bloom to early pod development for larvae of diamondback moth by beating plants to dislodging the larvae from plants. After beating plants, count larvae on ground or dangling from plants on a silk thread. Check several locations per field. Figure 7. Diamondback moth pheromone trap ( J. Knodel) Figure 8. Larva of diamondback moth (J. Knodel) The action threshold for diamondback moth in canola at the pod stage is about 20 larvae per square foot (two to three larvae per plant). No threshold has been established for the early flowering stage, however, insecticide applications are likely required at larval densities of larvae per square foot (one to two larvae per plant). Early monitoring of adults and larvae, and judicious use of insecticides only when fields are above thresholds are the best pest management practices for preventing losses from diamondback moth on canola. Figure 9. Aborted flower bud damage caused by diamondback moth (J. Knodel) 3

4 A number of natural factors can also negatively affect diamondback moth populations. For example, heavy rainfalls can drown many larvae. Humid conditions associated with rainfall can also favor the development of fatal fungal diseases like Entomophthorales. In addition, there are several parasitic wasps and predators (flies, lacewings, minute pirate bugs, spiders and birds) that prey on the larvae of diamondback moth. CORRECTION - BARLEY THRIPS In the barley thrips article in the Crop & Pest Report #8 for July 2, 2009, the insecticide rate for methyl parathion for control of barley thrips was incorrectly listed. The correct rate is 8-12 fl oz per acre. Always read and follow the use directions from the pesticide label. The label is the law. Janet Knodel Extension Entomologist janet.knodel@ndsu.edu CROP WATER USE According to the USDA Crop-Weather Report of last week, only 10% of the crop land in the state was short of moisture. Nevertheless, with the warm and mostly rainfree weather of the past week to ten days, it will not be long before not enough moisture will be the talk of the day. Water is typically the most limiting factor to nonirrigated crop production in North Dakota. Water availability within a given season is dependent on rainfall and stored soil moisture. Moreover, the rate of water use by crops is dependent on the weather, growth stage and availability of water. From the time that the leaves of crops completely cover the soil s surface until they start to loose their color before harvest, crop water use will depend mostly on the weather, as water use under full canopy is highly correlated to the amount of potential evapo-transpiration (water lost through evaporation from an open pan of water) during this period. Water is essential for numerous chemical reactions in the crop plant and provides structure to cells and tissues. The vast majority of the water that the crop uses, however, is for transpiration. When moisture supplies are adequate, transpiration stream brings nutrients and water from the soil via the roots to all parts of the plant, cools the plant, and allows stomata to remain open and CO 2 to enter the leaves. When soil moisture is limiting, stomata close, reducing the availability for C0 2, increasing the temperature of the leaf tissue, reducing photosynthesis, and thereby slowing plant growth (but in some cases hastening plant development). Drought stress can reduce crop yields even before the plant begins to wilt, the first visible symptom of water stress. Table 1. Approximate yield, water use and water use efficiency of some crops commonly grown in the northern Great Plains. CROP Alfalfa Grain Corn Potatoes Sugarbeets Soybeans Spring Wheat Sunflower Flax Pinto Beans Barley Average Yield/A 5 tons 120 bu 400 cwt 3.2 tons 35 bu 40 bu 1500 lb. 25 bu lb. 55 bu Average Water Use, Inches Water Use Eff Yield/A/inch H2O 0.2 ton 6 bu. 20 cwt 0.2 ton 2.2 bu. 2.7 bu. 110 lb. 1.7 bu. 180 lb. 5 bu. Source: J. W. Bauder and M. J. Ennen, NDSU Soil Science Dept. Crops differ significantly in their water requirements, drought tolerance and water use efficiency. Crop selection can be one way of matching water availability with crop requirement, though predicting the amount of moisture that is likely to be available in a given season is more guesswork than science. Strictly defining the water use by a crop is difficult as water use is affected by the amount and timing that water is available. For example, a crop like corn is water use efficient (produces more dry matter per inch of water), but also has a relatively high water requirement as it has a higher yield potential than most crops. Furthermore, crops differ in how water stress might affect them. Corn, for example is very sensitive to drought during the flowering process. Wheat on the other hand, is sensitive during several weeks proceeding flowering. A crop that is stressed early in its growth cycle may not be able to recover to the extent that it will be able to use the water that is available, even though rainfall during the latter stages of development is plentiful. Remember, it is difficult to precisely define the water use and water use efficiency of a crop. In Tables 1 and 2, crops are categorized as to their water requirements and water use efficiency is how much additional rainfall will be needed to augment the amount of moisture in the soil and to minimize moisture stress in the crop this season. The difference in water use estimates between Tables 1 and 2 can partially be explained by the fact that the data in Table two were collected on crops that were mildly to severely water-stressed during the growing season, and therefore were limited in growth and water use by water availability. These numbers more accurately predict crop water use in the dryer parts of the state and in drought years. 4

5 Table 2. Water use (inches) by selected crops in experiments conducted and in Mandan, ND. Crop Barley Buckwheat Canola Chickpea Corn Crambe Dry Bean Dry Pea Flax Lentil Millet Safflower Sorghum Soybean Spring Wheat Sunflower Source: Crop Sequence Calculator, USDA-ARS Mandan. Joel Ransom Extension Agronomist for Cereal Crops DRY BEAN OBSERVATIONS The 2008 Dry Bean Grower Survey was just released (for complete report see the reference at the bottom of this article). This was the 19th Annual Survey of varieties grown, pest problems, pesticide use and grower practices of the Northarvest Bean Growers Association, an association of dry edible bean growers in Minnesota and North Dakota. The survey was mailed to all Northarvest Bean Growers, however, not all growers returned the survey. Table 1 provides a short summary of practices reported by North Dakota growers in 2008 compared with answers provided during the 2007 survey. Table: Selected information about dry bean management practices reported by North Dakota farmers in the 2007 and 2008 annual dry bean grower survey Market Class % of respondents' acres Pink Kidney Black Navy Pinto Other Pinto varieties % of respondents' acres Maverick La Paz Windbreaker Buster ND Lariat GTS Stampede Other Soil test % of Respondents Soil test used Soil test not used Fertilizer use % of Respondents Nitrogen Phosphate Potash Zinc Other Fungicide Treatment % of Respondents Treatment used Treatment not used Rizobium inoculant % of Respondents Inoculant used Inoculant not used Respondents The main marketing class grown in ND is Pinto bean followed by Navy bean. The most popular variety in 2007 and 2008 was Maverick, but we see a gradual shift away from Maverick to newer varieties. The majority of producers use soil test information to design their 5

6 fertilizer program. There was an increase in the used of Zinc. Producers used N, P, and K fertilizer with 76.6% (2008) of the respondents reporting use of Nitrogen. Only 16.1 percent of the producers used Rhizobium inoculant. Although we did not cross tabulate we make the assumption that producers either selected Rizobium inoculant or provided fertilizer N to the dry bean crop. Availability of Nitrogen to the plant will reduce the size and number of nodules on the dry bean plant. About half of the producers used fungicide treatments on the dry been seed. It is suggested that producers and crop consultants evaluate if the fertilization, seed treatment, and inoculation programs for the farm are performing as anticipated and that future management decisions are based on the response of dry bean to these management strategies. NDSU IPM FIELD SURVEY UPDATE - JULY 8 NDSU IPM field scouts surveyed 191 wheat fields and 44 barley fields across the state for the week ending July 3rd. Average growth stage over all wheat fields surveyed advanced to the second node and in barley to the boot stage. Wheat: The severity of tan spot in wheat had slight increase from the previous week, with an average severity of 11% versus 9.4% of the previous week. The wheat disease forecasting site had indicated favorable days for infection for tan spot at many NDAWN sites over the past week. Leaf rust, at trace levels, was found in one commercial field, in Emmons County. Low severities of head scab were observed in two winter wheat fields in the southwest region. Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) symptoms were observed in 10% of the fields surveyed, with many of those fields in the northwest and northcentral counties, but also in some east central counties that were surveyed. Severity generally wasn t high, except in some late planted spring grains, but symptoms were noticeable. See accompanying report that follows. Cereal grain aphids were observed in 7% of the surveyed wheat fields; these aphids may vector barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), but BYDV symptoms were only recorded in 3% of the fields. Barley: Net blotch and or spot blotch were again the most frequent disease symptoms observed. Four of the 44 fields had grain aphids present and two of these had BYDV symptoms. Ten fields showed symptoms of barley thrip damage. No scab symptoms were observed in barley. References: 2007 Dry Bean Grower Survey Dry Bean Grower Survey Fertilizing Pinto, Navy and Other Dry Edible beans Hans Kandel NDSU Extension Agronomist, Broadleaf crops hans.kandel@ndsu.edu WHEAT STREAK MOSAIC VIRUS (WSMV) As mentioned above, field scouts are seeing quite a bit of WSMV symptoms this year in wheat (see May 28 th Crop and Pest Report for pictures of symptoms). In addition, Kasia Kinzer and Monty Botschner of the NDSU Plant Diagnostic Lab have tested 41 wheat samples to date, and 23 of those have been positive for WSMV. The samples have come from 9 different ND counties across the whole state. Virus symptoms have ranged from light infection on scattered plants, to fairly severe infection in very late planted spring cereals. Leaves from all wheat classes - winter wheat, spring wheat and durum - have tested positive. We have no data on differences in variety susceptibility to WSMV for our commonly grown wheat varieties. 6

7 WSMV is transmitted from plant to plant by the wheat curl mite, a tiny mite that is only 1/100 of an inch long. The occurrence and severity of WSMV is related to the survival and reproduction of the wheat curl mite. What led to increased or more noticeable WSMV detections this year? Several factors are possibilities: 1) a good snow cover over much of the state may have resulted in a greater overwintering survival of the vector, the wheat curl mite; 2) a late, killing frost allowed corn (which is a host for the virus and mite) to stay green into late October or early November, and mites moved from that green corn into volunteer wheat or grassy weed hosts; 3) fall rains favored flushes of volunteers and grassy weeds that served as good green bridges for the mite and virus; 4) cool conditions at the time of burndown herbicide application may have resulted in slower or poorer weed control, and these weeds and or volunteers remained as sources of the mite and virus. The wheat curl mite must have a green food host year round to survive. The abundance of green material well into late last fall and good overwintering conditions for wheat volunteers or grassy weeds and thus the mites, probably resulted in greater mite numbers this spring in winter wheat volunteers or grassy weed hosts. The green bridge for mite survival was not adequately broken, and poor spring weed control conditions may have increased the problem. WSMV management must be aimed at breaking the green bridge, through careful weed control and appropriate planting dates. The following diagram depicts the life cycle of the virus and mite. Please note that perennial grassy weed hosts also could be a site of overwintering, although not depicted on the diagram. Grass hosts: In addition to wheat crops and corn that harbor the mite and virus, perennial and annual grasses may be hosts to the mite and or the virus. Only a few perennial grasses are known hosts to the virus and allow increase of the mites: they include bluegrass, Canada wild-rye, and ricegrass. Many annual grasses may be hosts to the mite and or virus: they include barnyard grass, cheat grass, downy brome, Japanese brome, field sandbur, and green foxtail (not yellow foxtail). More information about wheat streak mosaic virus may be found in the NDSU Extension publication PP- 646 (revised) Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, found online at: Marcia McMullen NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist marcia.mcmullen@ndsu.edu SOYBEAN RUST/APHID SCOUTING BEGINS IN SENTINEL PLOTS THIS WEEK Soybean rust has the potential to be the most destructive soybean disease in any given year. However, the pathogen is only able to overwinter in areas of the United States where it is not killed by freezing temperatures, basically, the gulf coast. In attempt to stay one step ahead of soybean rust, plant pathologists monitor the spread of the disease as it progresses northward. Monitoring is done by scouting sentinel plots, which are designated soybean fields that we scout and assay leaf samples from once a week. Sentinel plots are scouted nationwide, 9 of which are located in North Dakota. Additionally, mobile scouting (randomly sampled fields) is done on a bi-weekly basis. Data is available to the public at Maps are available to monitor the spread of rust, commentary is provide by state specialists, and management information is available. The effort is part of the national ipmpipe program and the sentinel plots, mobile scouting, and public interface are supported by the North Dakota Soybean Council and The North Central Soybean Research Board. DRY BEAN DISEASE/INSECT SURVEY WILL BEGIN THIS WEEK In addition to scouting soybean sentinel plots for soybean rust, ten dry-bean sentinel will begin being scouted at the end of this week. The presence and severity of diseases and insects will be monitored for and reported on a weekly to biweekly basis. The ten plots will be located from Pembina to Cass county in the Red River Valley, with several plots in the Wells/Foster area. As information is generated it will be upload to the website North Dakota information should be available by next Monday (scouting will be done Thursday and Friday of this week). In addition to disease and insect occurrences; management information, photographs, and commentary from state specialists will be available. 7

8 SUNFLOWER RUST UPDATE After speaking to multiple crop consultants, extension personal, and growers, it appears that sunflower rust is developing very slowly. The early occurrence of the disease is still alarming, but the slow progression is good news. My recommendation is to neither panic nor let your guard down, just scout your fields. Management options are available if a fungicide application is necessary. More information is available in the previous issue of the crop and pest report, and on the National Sunflower Association website Sam Markell Extension Plant Pathologist samuel.markell@ndsu.edu PROTEIN ENHANCEMENT FOR SPRING WHEAT/DURUM It is possible that protein premiums might be higher than normal, and certainly the dockage for lower protein (less than 14%) wheat will be higher given the anticipated larger southern Great Plains crop with lower protein. There is already grower interest in enhancing protein with supplemental N. The most proven method of enhancing protein would be the application of 10 gallon per acre 28% liquid N mixed with 10 gallon per acre of water after pollination at the watery-ripe wheat berry stage of growth. Apply the solution broadcast in the cool of the day; not at noon when temperature is above 80 degrees in sunny skies. At best there will be some leaf burn; however, by taking the above precautions the burning will be superficial and N will enter the plant and move to the developing wheat kernel. Our data comes from several years of work at Carrington, Minot and Langdon. This method consistently resulted in ½ % protein increase with no loss in yield. Avoid using low rates of slow-release N sources to accomplish this goal. Our work with several of these products shows that the company recommended rates (1-3 gallon per acre) are not enough to record any measurable increase in protein in wheat before or after flowering. Although the products have practical advantages of low burn and the ability to be applied with fungicide, they agronomically have little value for the purpose of increasing protein at low rates. If a grower wanted to use about 30 lb N/acre of one of these products post-anthesis, I have no doubt they would also be as effective as 28%. Dave Franzen Extension Soil Specialist david.franzen@ndsu.edu RANKING WEED COMPETITIVENESS IN SOYBEAN Weed scientists have developed a scale for ranking the competitiveness of weed species, allowing producers to identify the most problematic species and develop a comprehensive control plan tailored to fit their weed problem. Competitive ratings are usually based on the dry matter produced by weeds. Weed competitiveness is highly influenced by cropping practices, including crop row spacing. For example, narrower crop rows can reduce weed competitiveness by 20 to 50 percent compared to crop fields planted in wider rows. Weed competitiveness also depends on when weeds emerge relative to the crop growth stage. In general, later emerging weeds are much less competitive than earlier emerging ones. Field Research: Field studies were conducted at two locations in the mid-west in 2002 and 2003 to determine and to compare weed competitiveness as influenced by soybean row spacing and the timing of weed emergence relative to crop growth stage. The study was part of a Master's Degree project for a graduate student. Soybeans were planted in 7.5- and 30-inch rows. Seven broadleaf and four grass weed species were planted: common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, common waterhemp, common sunflower, common cocklebur, Pennsylvania smartweed, giant ragweed, yellow foxtail, giant foxtail, fall panicum, and barnyardgrass. Weeds were planted at three soybean growth stages - crop planting (VP), crop emergence (VE), and 2nd trifoliate (V2). Soybean yield data, weed biomass, and weed seed production were collected at the season end. Findings: The most competitive weed was common sunflower, producing twice as much dry matter as any other species. In general, competitive ratings were affected by row spacing and emergence date. Weed species growing in 30-inch crop rows were more competitive than weeds in 7.5-inch rows. Weeds emerging with the crop were more competitive than those emerging a week or two later. 8

9 Applying the Research: The major practical implications of this study are: It's important to properly identify weed species, their competitiveness and the weed composition of weedy areas before making weed management decisions. Planting soybean in narrower rows will reduce the competitiveness of most weed species, providing a competitive advantage to the crop. Scouting fields regularly will help you determine weed emergence relative to crop stage. Weeds emerging a week or two after the crop are much less competitive than those emerging with the crop. NEW INVASIVE WEED PUBLICATION AVAILABLE A new publication, Identification and Control of Invasive and Troublesome Weeds in North Dakota, by Rodney G. Lym and Andrea Travnicek is available from NDSU free of charge. This 74-page publication contains numerous color photographs and descriptions of 32 weeds. The current list of 12 noxious weeds are included as well as species listed by various counties as noxious. Other species included are either invasive weeds found in bordering states with the potential to move into North Dakota or are commonly misidentified native species that do not require control efforts such as the native thistles. The publication is intended to help land managers identify and control noxious and invasive weeds. The publication is a collaborative effort of NDSU and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. To obtain the publication, contact the NDSU Agriculture Communication Distribution Center by calling (701) or e- mailing NDSU.DistributionCenter@ndsu.edu. The publication also is available through county Extension offices and the Department of Agriculture. Rich Zollinger Extension Weed Specialist r.zollinger@ndsu.edu South-Central ND During the past week (July 1-7), rainfall at NDAWN sites in the region ranged from 0.6 to 1 inch, except in the northeast. Barnes, Eddy, Foster, Griggs, and Stutsman counties received 0 to 0.35 inches of rain, while an inch or more of rain would be welcome. Growing degree day (GDD) units for corn planted May 1 through July 7 range from about 600 to 875 units. Our GDD units continue to be ahead of last year and 2004, but about 60 to 200 units behind for the period compared to the long-term average. Winter wheat and barley are in the seed-fill stages. Canola, flax, and early-planted soybean and dry bean are flowering. First harvest of alfalfa is complete and grass haying continues. Early-seeded spring wheat is flowering during the first 10 days of July. Considering current weather conditions, yield potential, and market prices for spring wheat, an early-flowering fungicide application for scab suppression and control of leafspot diseases would be a good strategy. In NDSU Carrington REC uniform spring wheat scab fungicide trials (application at early-flower stage), the following grain yield (bushels/acre) were observed during the past three years: 2006: untreated check = 78.7, fungicide (average of 13 treatments) = 78.6 to : untreated check = 44.7, fungicide (average of 11 treatments) = 48.0 to : untreated check = 72.8, fungicide (average of 12 treatments) = 75.9 to Check the following website for trial details: PlantPath/Pathology.htm Upcoming crop tours to be conducted by the Carrington Research Extension Center include: Field pea (Pulse crop), CREC - Friday, July 10 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Field Day, CREC - Tues., July 14 (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Barnes County, Dazey - Thursday, July 16 (evening) Tri-county, Wishek - Wednesday, July 22 (7 p.m.) Field Day, Oakes - Tuesday, July 28 (9 a.m.) Greg Endres Area Extension Specialist/Cropping Systems NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center gregory.endres@ndsu.edu 9

10 North Dakota State University CROP & PEST REPORT Extension Entomology NDSU Dept 7650; PO Box 6050 Fargo, ND Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 818 Fargo, N.D. Janet Knodel, Co-Editor Entomology phone fax Sam Markell, Co-Editor Plant Pathology phone fax Plant Sciences phone fax Soils phone fax Weeds phone fax Ag Engineering phone fax Helping You Put Knowledge To Work The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to a commercial product or trade name is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the North Dakota Extension Service is implied. NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Duane Hauck, Director, Fargo, North Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, We offer our programs and facilities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, age, Vietnam era veterans status, or sexual orientation; and are an equal opportunity employer. This publication will be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities upon request (701) NDSU Crop and Pest Report