Off-target Herbicide Movement to Rice
As rice approaches reproductive growth stages, it is less likely to recover from injury due to off-target herbicide movement.
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Posts From Jeff Gore, Research and Extension Entomologist
High Stink Bug Numbers Being Reported in Some Heading Wheat Fields
Calls are starting to come in about stink bugs in heading wheat. It is not uncommon to find numerous stink bugs in wheat after head emergence. Species attacking wheat are typically rice stink bug and brown stink bugs but greens can sometimes be found. While it may seem very alarming, keep in mind it takes extremely high numbers to cause economic damage to heading wheat.
As Crops Emerge, Slug Calls Start
I have recently received a few call about slugs in corn and soybeans. I suspect this will increase when more crops emerge in the Hill region of the state as well. Slug problems usually start on corn first, then move to soybeans, then cotton in our area. This is only because we typically plant in this order. Slugs have been a sporadic problem in MS row crops over the years with increased occurrence since 2004. This has been exclusively a no-till or reduced till problem, particularly no-till behind a grass crop like corn or grain sorghum. Cool wet years are particularly favorable for slug problems to develop.
2015 Scout Schools Set for Mississippi
Mississippi State University will be hosting 5 scout schools this year. We have transitioned over the years to make these trainings much more diverse than insect pest alone. This year we will be including insects, disease, fertility, weed identification, and herbicide systems. There will be numerous hands on displays of insects, weeds, nutrient deficiencies in all major row crops, and fertilizer characteristics. CEU’s Provided: Nutrient Management = 1.5, Integrated Pest Management = 3, Crop Management = 1
Seed Treatments, In-Furrow Sprays, and Granular Insecticides: What to do in Mississippi Field Corn
Although every major field crop we grow in Mississippi is responsive to at planting insect protection; field corn is perhaps the most consistent. Why is this?
Early-season Weed Control in Mississippi Rice
Barnyardgrass is resistant to five herbicide modes of action in rice.
Best Management Practices for Tarnished Plant Bug
The tarnished plant bug is the most important insect pest of cotton in the Mississippi Delta. Management with insecticides has become difficult in recent years and more tools are needed to economically manage this pest. Although it is early March and we are getting pair of unusual winter storms in the Delta, it is not too early to start making a plan for managing tarnished plant bugs in cotton. We have done a lot of research over the last several years with the goal of making tarnished plant bug management more economical for producers without sacrificing yield. See the attached document for more details on the best management practices listed below.
Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Aphids in MS Grain Sorghum 2015
In 2014 a new pest of MS grain sorghum, Sugarcane aphid, made a dramatic entry infesting every county that grew the crop. This pest originally showed up in grain sorghum in Texas and Louisiana in 2013 with a single find very late in the season in Bolivar County, MS. By the end of 2014, this pest quickly spread throughout the entire southeast.
Pyrethroids on Wheat in Mississippi: Does it Pay?
Its decision time in wheat. One of the questions we often get is “I am about to apply a herbicide, should I add a pyrethroid?” This is one of the few times I would have to say “Yes” to a question such as this. I think it makes sense to do so.
2015 Delta Ag Expo, Cleveland, MS – January 21 and 22, 2015
Find attached the agenda for the 42nd Annual Delta Ag Expo to be held in Cleveland, MS on Wednesday, January 21 and Thursday, January 22, 2015. We hope to see you in attendance at the Bolivar County Ag Expo Center.
2014 Delta Area Rice Meeting
The 2014 Delta area/Bolivar Co. Rice Meeting will be held at the Bolivar Co. Extension office on December 4, 2014. Mississippi rice producers, industry professionals, and other interested parties are invited to listen to presentations from MSU research and Extension
Do Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments Have Value Regionally in Soybeans?
There has been a tremendous amount of scrutiny put on the neonicotinoid class of chemistry in recent years because of the potential link to declines in bee numbers. Researchers are working feverishly across the nation and the globe to determine the exact causes of bee decline. No doubt pesticides can and likely play a role to some degree, but there are many factors that also influence bee health such as habitat loss, Varroa mites, and diseases.
Soybean Loopers Showing up in Late Soybeans:
Soybean loopers are starting to show up in high numbers in many areas of the state. In many cases, soybeans are past the point where yield loss can occur, but there are many later planted soybeans that need to be protected for a while longer. Below are a few tips on when to treat and what to treat with.
When to Terminate Bollworm Sprays in Late Season Bt Cotton
We have had numerous calls over the last couple weeks about small, 2-5 day old larvae, under bloom tags in Bt cotton that is near, at, or beyond cutout. All of the research done to this point suggests that cotton is safe from bollworm damage when it reaches node above white flower 5 plus 300 heat units.
Insect Trap Counts, August 29, 2014
Bollworm pheromone catches were lower again for the second consecutive week, suggesting that once control is achieved for current larval populations, a major reinfestation is unlikely. Tobacco budworm catches were also lower this week.
Insect Trap Counts, August 22, 2014
This week’s bollworm trap catches were similar to slightly higher than last week, while tobacco budworm trap catches fell slightly for the week. The trap catches are typical for this time of year, so expect moderate worm pressure in all sensitive crops.
Bean Leaf Beetle Numbers Picking Up in Mississippi Soybeans
Bean leaf beetle numbers have been increasing steadily over the last couple weeks. We have actually made bean leaf beetle targeted sprays on a number of acres in recent days. Yield loss is caused by defoliation and less frequently by
Terminating Insect Sprays in Mississippi Soybeans
We are quickly approaching that time of year where some of the earlier planted fields are turning color and others are approaching R6 vey quickly. Often times many of the insect pest we deal with “pile in” about this time and growers face the tough decision to treat when it may not pay back or try and race them to the end. We have devoted a lot of time and effort in recent years to evaluate and validate thresholds in soybeans under the current growing practices in Mississippi. Through these research efforts we have made several changes to insect thresholds and termination points for insect pest of soybeans in MS.
Bollworms in Dual Gene Bt Cotton: Control and Expectations
Over the last 7 days we have had numerous reports of high bollworm numbers in some BollGard II, TwinLink, and WideStrike fields in the Mississippi Delta. We have seen fields in the past that reach treatable levels but some reports are much higher than we have seen in recent years. At this time there does not appear to be any specific varieties that are adversely affected more than others. It appears to be a function of high pressure in isolated areas at this time.
Transform Section 18 Amendment Allows 3rd Application to Sorghum
White sugarcane aphid continues to be a serious problem in grain sorghum fields across Mississippi and the Mid-South. Because this is a brand new pest, there are many questions still unanswered. The Mid-South Entomology Working Group is frantically working on
Insect Trap Counts, August 14, 2014
After 4 weeks of high bollworm moth catches averaging more than 75 moths/trap/week, this week has dropped down to an average catch of 35 moths/trap. This should mean that once current worm populations are controlled, a substantial reinfestation is not likely. However, tobacco
Insect Trap Counts, August 8, 2014
Bollworm trap counts continue to be high in the Delta for the fourth consecutive week. Tobacco budworm counts are also fairly high in the Delta. However, the traps in the hills did not indicate as much pressure. Continue to be alert for
Insect Trap Counts, Aug. 1, 2014
Bollworm moth catches continued to be high across the state for the 3rd week in a row as the larvae that developed in corn continue to emerge. Expect significant bollworm larval pressure in vulnerable crops. Tobacco budworm moth catches rose
White Sugarcane Aphid Update – 8/1/2014
White sugarcane aphid infestations are increasing across the state and more applications are going out to manage this pest. Over the last week to 10 days we have heard about numerous fields that have received a second application. Remember, that the Section 18 label for Transform states that no more than 2 applications can be made in a field.
Insect Trap Counts, July 25, 2014
Bollworm counts remain at fairly high levels again this week for the second week in a row, so vulnerable crops likely have many eggs and small larvae. Tobacco budworm counts remain low, so worms found will generally be bollworms. Southwestern corn
