LSU AgCenter Northeast Region Ag News

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "LSU AgCenter Northeast Region Ag News"

Alfred Harvey
5 years ago
Views:

Resistant Palmer Amaranth 3 Redbanded Stink Bug in Soybeans 3 Water Quality Monitoring of Lake St. Joseph 4 Zinc Fertilizer Sources 5 Mission 6 Visit our website: www.lsuagcenter.

1 LSU AgCenter Northeast Region Ag News Vol. 2, No. 1 Spring 2013 Inside this Issue: Region Update 1 Important Dates 1 Recognition 1 The Battle Within the Battle: Glyphosate- Resistant Palmer Amaranth 2 The Battle Within the Battle: Glyphosate- Resistant Palmer Amaranth 3 Redbanded Stink Bug in Soybeans 3 Water Quality Monitoring of Lake St. Joseph 4 Zinc Fertilizer Sources 5 Mission 6 Visit our website: Update from the Northeast Region Welcome to Vol. 2, No. 1, of the Northeast Region Ag Newsletter. The Northeast Region is one of the most diverse regions in the LSU AgCenter. All row crops, with the exception of sugarcane, are commercially produced in the region. In addition, many specialty crops such as sweet potatoes and animal enterprises, including poultry and cattle operations, are found in the region. A number of personnel in the Northeast Region have retired or resigned since our last issue. We are making every attempt to maintain service to our stakeholders by re-assigning some faculty with additional responsibilities and making selective hires for replacements in key areas for research and extension. Mr. Josh Price was hired as the ANR agent for Catahoula Parish in May Ms. Sara Nuss has been appointed county agent for ANR programming in Concordia Parish effective May 1, Mr. Myrl Sistrunk retired in December 2012 as the county agent in West Carroll Parish after more than 30 years of service. Bruce Garner has been appointed county agent for West Carroll Parish effective March 1, In May 2012, Dr. Wink Alison transitioned into a majority extension position, currently working as extension forage specialist 65% and biofuels researcher 35%. Dr. Donnie Miller, John B. Baker Professor of Weed Science, assumed responsibilities as research coordinator of the Macon Ridge Research Station in May Dr. Miller also serves as the coordinator of the Northeast Research Station and has an active research program focused on weed management of cotton, soybeans and sweet potatoes. Dr. Beatrix Haggard was hired in September 2012 as an area soils specialist and agronomy instructor. Dr. Haggard will be working out of the Northeast Research Station and the Scott Research, Extension and Education Center. Dr. Clayton Hollier, Dept. of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, accepted additional responsibilities as extension plant pathologist for the Northeast Region through October The search is ongoing to permanently fill this position, which was previously held by Dr. Boyd Padgett, currently serving as regional director in the central region. Dr. Thomas Nyatta Legiandenyi was recently hired as a county agent for Southern University in East Carroll Parish, following the resignation of Mr. Glen Dixon last fall. All of our new faculty look forward to serving and working with you. We certainly wish Dr. Padgett all the best and wish him well in his new position as regional director of the Central Region. Current searches are ongoing to fill a vacant weed science specialist position and the sweet potato specialist/horticulture position that will work out of our Sweet Potato Research Station. Please let us know any time we can be of assistance to you. Our mission is to provide the best possible research-based solutions to address all of your production and pest management needs. I look forward to serving you and working with you as regional director. Please also note the dates below and plan to join us at the Northeast and Macon Ridge Research Station field days. Best of luck as we progress through the 2013 cropping season. Sincerely Tara P. Smith, Ph.D. Regional Director, Northeast Region, LSU AgCenter Recognition Dr. John Barnett Retires Dr. John Barnett retired as regional director of the LSU AgCenter Northeast Region on March 1, 2013, following 34 years of distinguished service. Dr. Barnett worked as a county agent, extension specialist and regional director during his tenure with the AgCenter. Dr. Barnett s commitment to Louisiana agriculture continues. He is presently working in a part-time appointment as an extension specialist working with small specialtycrop producers. We wish Dr. Barnett well in his retirement and all the best in his new endeavors. Dr. Barnett can be reached at the Ouachita Parish Extension office, Dr. David Kerns Receives Jack Hamilton Chair in Cotton Production Dr. David Kerns, associate professor of Entomology at the Macon Ridge Research Station, was named to the Jack Hamilton Regents Chair in Cotton Production on January 18, Dr. Kerns began his career with the AgCenter in 2012 as cotton research and extension entomologist. Prior to coming to Louisiana, Kerns served at the University of Arizona for 13 years and more recently with Texas A&M in Lubbock for 7 years. Dr. Kerns has authored and co-authored over 300 publications and has garnered more than $3 million in funding. Congratulations on this achievement Dr. Kerns! Important Dates Northeast Research Station Field Day June 19, 2013 dmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu Rice Research Station Field Day June 26, 2013, Crowley, La. Annual La. Farm Bureau Meeting June 27-30, 2013, New Orleans, La. Sugar Research Station Field Day July 17, 2013, St. Gabriel, La. Dean Lee Research Station Field Day July 18, 2013, Alexandria, La. Northeast Region ANR Agent Training July 23, 2013 Macon Ridge Research Station Field Day September 5, 2013 dmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu

2 An effective strategy for management of this weed is to overlay residual herbicides to never let the weed off the mat. Preventing seed production after removal of the crop is also essential to preventing replenishment of the seed bank. The Battle Within the Battle: Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth Dr. Donnie Miller and Dr. Daniel Stephenson, LSU AgCenter Each year producers in Louisiana fight a constant battle against weed species bent on robbing yields and shrinking profit margins. Due to the widespread adoption of the Roundup Ready technology and subsequent overuse of only glyphosate for weed management, confirmation of weed resistance to glyphosate takes the battle to an entirely different level. For several years, producers in Louisiana were fortunate to watch glyphosate resistance issues with Palmer amaranth play out in articles of Delta Farm Press regarding neighbors to the north in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas. The old adage Mother Nature always wins has unfortunately proven true, again and resistance cases have been confirmed with glyphosate here in Louisiana. The majority of parishes in northeast and northwest Louisiana bordering the Mississippi and Red rivers, as well as St. Landry Parish, now have documented cases of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. Seed from resistant populations in neighboring states is carried along these main waterways and distributed in adjacent fields with backwater flooding and seep water in spring. Three characteristics that make glyphosate resistance in Palmer amaranth such a problem are a very aggressive growth habit, tremendous seed-producing capability and a 73% germination rate. In our perfect growing conditions in mid- to late summer, it is not uncommon to see Palmer amaranth plants put on 8 to 10 inches of growth in a week s period and produce viable seed. Studies in Arkansas have shown that female plants are capable of producing up to 1.77 million seeds. At that rate, managing the weed becomes a numbers game. Take for instance an area with 50 female plants that each produce 500,000 seeds. Let s say that 90% of those seed are lost to predation or rot or other means. Also, let s say a producer implements a management strategy that provides 99% control. He/she is still left with nearly five million seeds. With 73% germination rate, that means there is a potential to have 3.63 million plants, each capable of producing 1.77 million seeds! The main recommendation for preventing the introduction of or managing an established population of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth is to start clean with a planned rotation of herbicides that are effective on the weed species and offer a completely different mode of action, or means of controlling the weed, than glyphosate. Switching from Roundup Powermax to Touchdown or Flyfox Extra does no good because all are glyphosate products. In corn, products like Callisto, Laudis or products that contain atrazine are effective on Palmer amaranth and offer a differing mode of action that is not available in soybean or cotton. In soybean, a number of products are effective when soil applied on Palmer, including Prefix, Boundary, Authority MTZ, Valor XS, Envive and Valor XLT among others. In cotton, programs including preplant applications of Valor SX, Reflex or Direx coupled with a planting application of Cotoran, Caparol or Prowl have been proven effective on Palmer amaranth. A number of postemergence options are also available within each crop. Effective options for control of Palmer and other pigweed species are listed in the Louisiana Suggested Chemical Weed Control Guide which can be accessed at: Louisianas+Suggested+Chemcial+Weed+Control+guide.htm An effective strategy for managing this weed is to overlay residual herbicides in order to never let the weed off the mat. This includes application of residual herbicides preplant, at planting, in early season overthe-top applications and at layby. You always want an effective material present at peak strength when another is playing out. This will ensure season-long control of the weed. Liberty 280 SL herbicide, used within the Liberty Link system and offering a different mode of action than glyphosate, is effective on pigweed species, including Palmer, if applied to very small weeds 1 inch or less. Control of pigweed 2 to 4 inches tall can be somewhat erratic. Adding residual herbicides mentioned before at planting or included with Liberty in early over-the-top applications (Dual Magnum, Staple LX, etc.) are needed for season-long control. Since Palmer amaranth has a light requirement for germination, burying the seed using deep tillage can prove effective in its management. Re-hipping rows following deep tillage, however, negates this advantage by bringing seed up to light exposure and subsequent germination. Preventing seed production N O R T H E A S T R E G I O N A G N E W S P A G E 2

An effective strategy for Therefore, use all available tools to prevent this problem from causing you to have to fight the battle within the battle.

The Battle Within the Battle: Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (continued) after crop removal is also essential to prevent replenishment of the seed bank.

3 An effective strategy for Therefore, use all available tools to prevent this problem from causing you to have to fight the battle within the battle. management of this weed is to overlay residual herbicides to never let the weed off the mat. The Battle Within the Battle: Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (continued) after crop removal is also essential to prevent replenishment of the seed bank. Use whatever means necessary be it hand-roughing, tillage or herbicides to prevent plants from producing seed. Also remember that Palmer amaranth seed can be carried by equipment between fields, so make sure it is thoroughly clean prior to entering/exiting fields, especially if custom harvesting is used. Another area to manage Palmer amaranth is on filed turn-rows and ditch banks surrounding fields. Allowing Palmer amaranth to grow on turn-rows and ditch banks and produce seed is an excellent way to infest the field. Therefore, if Palmer amaranth is present on a turn-row prior to planting, the turn-row needs to be either tilled or parquat should be applied to control it. For best management, a soil-applied residual herbicide, such as the one a farmer will be applying to the field for Palmer amaranth management, should be tank-mixed with the parquat. Palmer amaranth management on a ditch bank is not as easy because of aquatic restrictions for many herbicides that are effective for Palmer amaranth control. Herbicides that can be applied in aquatic situations, such as diuron and diquat, are alternatives for managing Palmer amaranth on ditch banks. However, be sure to read the label to verify that a herbicide is labeled for use in these situations. Devastating effects of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth are many and include loss in value of the technology on the farm, possible decreased land value, outright field abandonment and increased production costs due to incorporation of additional herbicides and tillage needed for successful management in weed. In other words, all of the benefits associated with Roundup Ready technology such as reduced herbicide use, reduced tillage, faster application are no longer realized. Therefore, use all available tools to prevent this problem from causing you to have to fight the battle within the battle. Redbanded Stink Bug in Soybeans Sebe Brown and Dr. David Kerns, LSU AgCenter Entomologist The redbanded stink bug has become the dominant stink bug species in Louisiana soybeans. This insect was first detected in Louisiana in 2000 and can be found in every soybean-producing parish in the state. Redbanded stink bugs feed on a variety of legumous hosts, with soybeans being the preferred host during the production season. The redbanded stink bug is sensitive to cold temperatures, but the temperatures we have experienced this winter were not sufficiently cold enough to kill many overwintering adults; in fact, we have already picked up redbanded stink bugs in our black light trap at the Macon Ridge Research Station. Fixed spine on redbanded Redbanded stink bug nymph Redbanded stink bug adults are often light green to yellow with a brown to red band that runs horizontally across the scutellum (back) of the insect. The immature stages of this insect are often green with red and black markings on top of the abdomen. The redbanded stink bug can be distinguished from other stink bug species by a pro-sternal spine that splits the last two coxae. The redbanded stink bug may be confused with the redshouldered stink bug; however, the redshouldered stink bug lacks the spine and has pointed shoulders. The redbanded stink bug is often the first stink bug to appear in soybeans before or during flowering. It causes significant amounts of injury to developing beans and is less susceptible to insecticides used to control other stink bug species in Louisiana. As a result, the LSU AgCenter has lowered the economic threshold for this pest in soybeans from 6 insects per 25 sweeps to 4 insects per 25 sweeps. Producers should anticipate making 3-5 applications for this insect on 5 to 7-day intervals. Routine scouting is essential for management of redbanded stink bugs, and recolonization after an insecticide treatment may occur quickly. For more information or if you have any questions or concerns please contact Sebe Brown or Dr. David Kerns. N O R T H E A S T R E G I O N A G N E W S P A G E 3

The gross value of aquaculture, freshwater fisheries and saltwater fisheries was $469,650,637 in 2011 (LSU AgCenter).

4 Water Quality Monitoring of Lake St. Joseph Dr. Beatrix Haggard and James Hendrix, LSU AgCenter The state of Louisiana is 9.5% water, which makes water quality an important factor to address in Louisiana (USGS, 2013). The gross value of aquaculture, freshwater fisheries and saltwater fisheries was $469,650,637 in 2011 (LSU AgCenter). Water quality is important not only for the quality of life of Louisiana citizens but also to protect habitat for fish and wildlife throughout the state. In 2011, a project was initiated to state water quality monitoring of Lake St. Joseph. Lake St. Joseph is an oxbow lake located in the Ouachita River Basin in Tensas Parish. Monitoring began in February of 2012 and continued through January 2013, for 12 months of baseline water quality data. Data being analyzed are dissolved oxygen (DO), ph, electrical conductivity, temperature, total solids, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids and other nutrient parameters. The main goals of this project were to monitor the quality of Lake St. Joseph, identify the main drainage ditches that are substantial pathways for the pollutant load in the lake and generate an updated baseline of water quality. To meet these goals, seven monitoring sites were selected throughout the lake: three at selected inflow sites, three within the main body of the lake and one at an outflow location. The outflow location is the same site at which Louisiana DEQ sampled from during past monitoring projects. View of monitoring site F at Lake St. Joseph, Tensas Parish Initial data has shown that the annual mean of dissolved oxygen (DO) is above the state level of 5.0 mg/l, which is an improvement from the 2006 data collected by DEQ. These improvements are believed to be from the continued use of best management practices (BMPs), which are being used by surrounding agricultural producers. The baseline data will provide a way to measure the effectiveness of BMPs that are being installed at agricultural operations surrounding the lake in Water quality monitoring for Lake St. Joseph is set to continue for another 24 months. The final goal of this project is to delist this body of water from the list of impaired water bodies. The state of Louisiana is 9.5% water, which makes water quality an important factor to address in Louisiana (USGS, 2013). Water quality monitoring sites at Lake St. Joseph, Tensas Parish. N O R T H E A S T R E G I O N A G N E W S P A G E 4

In Louisiana, one of the biggest micronutrient concerns is zinc (Zn) deficiency in corn, since corn has a relatively high Zn requirement and its plant availability is reduced by soil properties such

5 Zinc Fertilizer Sources Rick Mascagni, Ph.D., LSU AgCenter The potential for micronutrient deficiencies may increase due to higher crop yields and higher analysis fertilizers (less micronutrient contamination). In Louisiana, one of the biggest micronutrient concerns is zinc (Zn) deficiency in corn, since corn has a relatively high Zn requirement and its plant availability is reduced by soil properties such as high ph and high soil phosphorus levels. Micronutrient sources can be generally categorized as follows: inorganic salts, oxides, organic synthetic chelates and natural organic complexes (Table 1). Plant availability for the inorganic sources depends on factors such as water solubility, granule size, Zn content of the fertilizer and, in the case of the chelates and complexes, the ability of the chelate or complex to hold the Zn in a plant-available form (i.e., the stability of the chelate/complex). There are many sources on the market, which vary not only in price but, more importantly, in effectiveness in correcting Zn deficiencies. Zinc fertilizers may be broadcast (usually inorganic fertilizer sources) or applied in fluid. such as starter fertilizers, nitrogen fertilizer solutions, or pesticides (usually the chelates/complexes). Table 1. Common Zn fertilizer sources available to the grower. There are many sources on the market, which vary not only in price but, more importantly, effectiveness in correcting Zn deficien- Zn sources Chemical formula Approximate percent % INORGANIC SOURCES Zn-sulfate ZnSO Zn-oxide ZnO Zn-oxysulfate ZnSO 4 -ZnO Zn-ammonia complex Zn-NH 3 10 ORGANIC SOURCES Synthetic Chelates Zn-EDTA Zn-citric acid Zn-glucoheptonate Natural Organic Complexes Zn-lignosulfonate 7-10 Zn-phenolic acid 7 Zn-Humic acid 5 I recently surveyed the availability of Zn fertilizer sources at local fertilizer dealers. I called one dealer who told me that they had granular Zn sulfate. This particular source was not Zn sulfate but actually a Zn oxysulfate. Although it was 20% Zn, only 8% of the Zn was watersoluble (Zn sulfate), suggesting that 12% was the insoluble Zn oxide. All four fertilizer dealers contacted had some form of a Zn chelate or complex, including two dealers with a 9% Zn-EDTA, two dealers with a 10% Zn-citric acid, one dealer with a 7% Znlignosulfonate and one dealer with a 6.5% Zn-humic acid/fulvic acid complex. EDTA is the most expensive and has been shown to be the most stable Zn chelate. This source is very effective both in starter fertilizers and sidedress nitrogen solutions. The other chelates/complexes are less stable than the EDTA. Once these Zn fertilizers are added to the soil, the Zn may be released by the chelate and become less plant available. For foliar applications, there is little difference in efficacy among fertilizer sources. In summary, many different Zn fertilizer sources available to the grower vary in price and effectiveness. The array of sources and different chemistries adds to the confusion regarding Zn recommendations. With increased awareness of potential Zn deficiencies in corn and other crops, more information on the products available and their efficacy is needed. Research is being planned to better define optimum Zn rates, fertilizer sources and methods of application. N O R T H E A S T R E G I O N A G N E W S P A G E 5

Northeast Region Ag News Edited By: Tara Smith Alana Sandidge Beatrix Haggard Penny Ringe Rick Bogren Northeast Region Extension The Northeast Region is composed of 12 parishes.

6 Northeast Region Ag News Edited By: Tara Smith Alana Sandidge Beatrix Haggard Penny Ringe Rick Bogren Northeast Region Extension The Northeast Region is composed of 12 parishes. Agriculture and natural resource agents in each parish work closely with all facets of the agricultural sectors in the region. Educational efforts include on-farm demonstration plots, field days, extension publications and on-farm visits. The northeast regional office is located in Winnsboro, La., at the LSU AgCenter s Scott Center. Please contact one of our county agents for any of your crop-related needs. Northeast Region Research Stations Northeast Research Station Northeast Louisiana's economy depends on the LSU AgCenter s Northeast Research Station, which is one of 20 Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station facilities across the state. Located on some of Louisiana s richest soil near the Mississippi River, this station serves as a hub of agricultural knowledge for the region and its agriculturally based economy. Farmers seek advice on how to grow cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum and rice. Scientists conduct research on variety development, conservation tillage, integrated pest management, weed control, irrigation, disease prevention and precision agriculture. That research and the extension of it to farmers in the area and across the state help keep the land productive while protecting and preserving the environment. Sweet Potato Research Station The LSU AgCenter s Sweet Potato Research Station is located on 300 acres in northeast Louisiana, it s the only research station in the country devoted solely to sweet potato research. An important function of the station is producing virus-free foundation seed that farmers across the state and the country, as well as around the world, can plant to keep their crops healthy. The new sweet potato varieties developed at the station, such as Beauregard and Evangeline, are among the most popular around the globe. These efforts, along with other research on production practices and pest control, help keep sweet potatoes among the most profitable crops to grow. Macon Ridge Research Station The LSU AgCenter s Macon Ridge Research Station was established in 1955 to provide site-specific research for producers on the loessial silt-loam soils of the Macon Ridge. Scientists and support personnel at the station conduct research with cotton, corn, rice, soybeans, grain sorghum, wheat and forages. The research covers most production components of these crops, including insect pest management, weed management, disease control, variety evaluation/ development, fertilization, tillage systems, cover crops, irrigation, row spacing, planting dates and crop rotation. The research results provide farmers with useful information to help them make profitable and environmentally sound decisions concerning crop production practices.

Grain Sorghum Hybrids for Grain Hybrid Selection

Grain Sorghum Hybrids for Grain 2014 Hybrid Selection The LSU AgCenter conducts yearly grain sorghum hybrid yield tests at several locations around the state. The data in Table 1 are yields of grain sorghum