Agronomy Newsletter for April 2004


April 2, 2004

Wheat

I have looked at several fields and submitted plant samples that have had problems with leaf rust. Information on the leaf, stem and stripe rust problems was discussed in the March 1, 2004 newsletter.

Several wheat diseases are being discussed by producers. Some of the better web sites for increasing your knowledge on the subject include:

Diseases

American Wheat Striate Mosaic Virus-- Kansas State University
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus-- Kansas State University, Iowa State, TAMU, University of Nebraska
Cephalosporium Stripe-- Washington State
Common Root Rot-- TAMU,
Common Smut-- Washington State
Dryland Foot Rot-- TAMU, Washington State
Ergot-- Washington State
Glume Blotch Complex-- Kansas State University, TAMU
High Plains Mosaic Pathogen-- Kansas State University
Karnal bunt

Leaf Blotch-- TAMU
Leaf Rust-- Kansas State University, Iowa State, TAMU, University of Nebraska, Washington State
Loose Smut-- TAMU, Washington State
Powdery Mildew-- Kansas State University, TAMU, Washington State
Rhizoctonia Root Rot-- TAMU
Scab (Fusarium Head Blight)-- Kansas State University, University of Nebraska
Septoria Leaf and Glume Blotch-- University of Nebraska, Washington State
Soil-Borne Wheat Mosaic-- University of Nebraska, TAMU
Speckled Leaf Blotch (Septoria tritici)-- Kansas State University
Stem Rust-- Kansas State University, TAMU, University of Nebraska
Stinking Smut or Bunt-- TAMU
Strawbreaker (foot rot)-- Kansas State University
Stripe Rust-- Kansas State University, TAMU, University of Nebraska, Washington State
Take-all Root Rot-- Kansas State University, TAMU
Tan Spot-- Kansas State University, TAMU, University of Nebraska
Spindle Streak Mosaic Virus-- Kansas State University
Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus-- Kansas State University, TAMU, University of Nebraska Washington State
Wheat Soilborne Mosaic Virus-- Kansas State University

The main fungicides used for small grain diseases include Headline, Quadris, Quilt, Stratego, and Tilt. You can review the label for each product at the CDMS web site (http://www.cdms.net/manuf/manuf.asp). For a listing of disease and insect ratings for most wheat varieties please review the information from the San Angelo web site or Kansas State University.

I am trying to get an idea of how many small grain samples we will be thrashing this year, if you have a test plot that has survived and plan to harvest samples and thrash them at the research center in San Angelo, drop me an e-mail and let me know. THANKS!

For those producers with thin stands of wheat intending to plant into residue, an application of Glyphosate (12 to 24 ounces) does a good job. Contact herbicides can be used, however, producers need to increase the gallons of water applied per acre to get complete coverage of the wheat and weeds.

Cotton

Cottonseed for variety tests have been ordered. Linked is a listing of the tests to be conducted in Districts 6 & 7.

A number of producers have indicated that they planned to plant early this year. Remind them that the minimum soil temperature for planting cotton is a 10 day average of 60⁰ F at an eight inch soil depth (take temperature at 8:00 a.m.). When soil temperatures are 65 to 70⁰ F the cottonseed germinates and emerges quicker which helps to reduce the amount of time emerging seedlings are exposed to soil diseases. If cotton is planted at the minimum soil temperature and then watered, you will probably have a reduction in the final plant stand and health of the crop.

Pesticide Recertification Training

On Monday, April 12, there will be a training conducted at Abilene for producers needing to obtain a Private Applicators License. For more details and to register for the meeting call Gary Bomar at (325) 672-6048.

Weed ID Web Sites

A number of people have been asking about weed identification sites. A good reference is linked here. These are listed on the Texas Weed Information Group web site (http://twig.tamu.edu).

Monthly Calendar

April

April 1, Burnet County, Soil and Soil Fertility
April 2, Runnels County, Regional Ag Day
April 3, Tom Green County, Christmas in April
April 5, District 7 Headquarters, Office Conference
April 15, Brazos County, Soil and Crop Sciences Departmental Awards Program
April 16, Annual Leave
April 16 - 18, Brazos County, Parents Weekend at Texas A&M
April 27 & 28, Brown County, Professional Board Meeting
April 29, Tom Green County, Natural Resources Field Day

May

May 3, District 7 Headquarters, Office Conference
May 6, Concho/McCulloch Co., Wheat Tour
May 7, Taylor/Callahan Co., Wheat Tour
May 10, Brown County, Ag and Natural Resources Day
May 14, Coleman County, Wheat Tour
May 21, Tom Green County, Professional Ag Workers
May 19 - 21, District 7 TCAAA Meeting
May 26 - June 1, Annual Leave

Sincerely,

Billy E. Warrick
Extension Agronomist
Texas Cooperative Extension
Texas A&M University System