New crop technology on display at Grow Smart Field Tour

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Rotation of crops and herbicides, as well as new technology, were on display at the recent 2015 Grow Smart Field Tour held at the Texas A&M Field Laboratory near College Station.

The crop tour showcased field trials conducted by BASF, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Producers, crop consultants, agri-chemical distributors and academic professionals were on hand to view eight different stops, where they were introduced to new technology and emerging issues affecting crops such as corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat and sorghum.

Dr. Tom Isakeit, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist, College Station, told producers that soybean rust was documented the past week in the Rio Grande Valley.

“Based on this year’s stages of crops, we did put out a spray advisory for that area,” he said.

However, Isakeit told producers on hand at the tour that those in the South Central Texas area do not need to spray at this time. But that doesn’t rule out the potential threat of “epidemics following rainy weather, because spores are likely being blown into this area from the South.”

Producers are advised to scout their fields regularly and see if they can identify the disease in the lower canopy of the plant. If they do, Isakeit said farmers need to take action immediately to fend off potential crop damage. Isakeit recommends checking www.sbrusa.net for updated reports of rust.

Dr. Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension state cotton specialist, discussed management of volunteer cotton in new XtendFlex cotton varieties, which are tolerant to Dicamba, Liberty and Roundup. He said the best volunteer and stalk destruction herbicides available are 2,4-D and Dicamba.

In evaluating several products for controlling volunteer cotton, using Sharpen at 2 ounces to the acre provided “really good results when applied at five to six leaf stage,” Morgan said.

“We got more death as a whole,” he said. “Basically at a one ounce rate to the acre (of Sharpen), we observed some regrowth on a small number of plants, but the two ounces to the acre smoked everything here.”

Dr. Muthu Bagavathiannan, AgriLife Research weed scientist, advised the attendees of the importance of a proactive approach to herbicide resistance management. He particularly emphasized the value of crop and herbicide rotation in managing resistant weeds such as the pigweeds.

“Crop rotation must provide opportunities for the use of diversified weed management,” he said. “Rotating different crops, with the same herbicide-resistant technology will not provide robust resistance-management benefits.”

Bagavathiannan also advised producers to keep an eye on any early signs of potential weed control failure in their fields and test for resistance as soon as possible. He distributed information about the Lone Star Herbicide Resistance Screening Program in which producers can submit weed samples at no charge and receive evaluation results to quickly and effectively manage resistant weeds.

Bagavathiannan said farmers should collect seed from about 10 to 15 plants within the suspected resistant patch. The seeds should be placed in a paper bag clearly labeled with the collection location, crop history and sender contact details. They also should be allowed to dry as much as possible before shipping. Samples can be mailed to Dr. Muthu Bagavathiannan, Texas A&M University, 370 Olsen Blvd. MS 2474, College Station, Texas 77843-2474.

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