Baldwin County Extension Office
302A Byrne Street
Bay Minette, AL  36507
(251) 937-7176                         
Richard L. Petcher 
Regional Extension Agronomist for Southwest Alabama
(251) 847-2295, cell (251) 202-1009, SL 7*145

News Letter August 2006 

To Row Crop Producers in Southwest Alabama:  I hope these articles will be of help to you in this month’s production decisions. 

UPCOMING PRODUCTION MEETINGS:

Huxford Cotton and Peanut Field Day

Date:  Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Starting Place: Huxford Baptist Church.  From I-65 at Atmore take Highway 21 North for about 8 miles.  Just past the pole mill take highway 30 going west toward McCulough.  Continue for ½ mile. The Huxford Baptist Church is on the left.  . 

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Topics:  Delta-Pine Variety Test:  Dru Rush, Agronomist for Delta-Pine.

Nematode Tests:  Randy Ackridge, Dr. Kathy Lawrence and Dr. Bill Gazaway with Auburn University.

Cotton Variety Test:  David Womack’s Farm, Cotton Representatives.

Peanuts: Dallas Hartzog, Auburn University Peanut Specialist

Dinner: Sponsored

Wiregrass Crop Field Day

August 17, 2006 at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Al.

Mississipi State Small Grain Production Meeting.  August 17, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  This is a TV via satellite program that will be shown at the Conecuh County Extension Office in Evergreen for growers in South AL.  Call 251-578-2762 if you plan to attend.

Mariana Florida, Peanut Field Day

August 24th in Mariana, Florida.  I consider this the best meeting of the year where a grower can go for one day and learn in the field all he can about peanuts.  Peanut Specialists from Georgia, Alabama and Florida will be talking about their research.  Dr. Barry Tillman from Fruitdale, Alabama is now the Peanut Plant Breeder for the University of Florida and he will be heading up this day.  A few of us will be eating supper with Dr. Barry Tillman and Dr. Dan Gorbet the night before.  If you are interested in joining us give me a call at 251-202-1009.    

                             PEANUT DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Early and Late Leaf Spot: Early Leaf Spot is brown with yellow rings and sporulates on the top of the leaf.  Late Leaf Spot is black with spores on the bottom of the leaf.  It has been so dry that Leaf Spot has not been a problem.  With the rains we are starting to get and will hopefully keep getting Leaf Spot may become a problem.  Typically it would be recommended to use Headline early on.  However, most growers have waited until they get significant rains, or for treatment just before, after or in between Hurricanes.  Headline is the very best chemical available to control Leaf Spot.  If you get into serious problems with Leaf Spot, Headline would be the chemical of choice.   

Triazole Fungicide Resistance Management: The continued use of triazole fungicides (Folicur 3.6F, Orius, Propimax, and Tilt 3.6E) have caused the fungicide pathogens of Early and Late Leaf Spot to build some resistance to the triazole fungicides.  Evidence of this decline in performance of the Triazole fungicides has been documented over the past seven years across the Southeast.  Research conducted by Dr. Albert Culbreath with the University of Georgia both in 2004 and 2005 showed the 2x rate of Folicur 3.6F to not equal the 1.5 pint rate of Bravo for controlling Leaf Spot.  However, Folicur is an excellent material for White Mold.  Even though the Leaf Spot pathogens have become somewhat resistant the White Mold has not.  University Recommendation is to continue using Folicur for White Mold but add a chlorothalonil product like Bravo, Echo or Terranil to your Folicur spray.  Tilt (propiconazole) and Stratego (propiconazole/trifloxystrobin) are in the same Triazole family as the Triazole ingredient that is in Folicure.  Therefore a Tilt/Bravo mix or Stratego would not help you as much as a Chlorithalonil product alone.  Simply add a Chlorithalonil product at the 1 pint per acre rate.  Folicur continues to work fine on leaf spot in some areas, but problem areas are becoming much more frequent.

Strobilurin Fungicide Resistance Management:  There is already a Triazole Resistance and scientist believe Strobilurin Resistance will be next.  Continued use of Strobilurin fungicides in the same fields year after year may eventually result in Leaf Spot failures due to increasing tolerance.  In years past we only had Abound with one to two applications.  Now we have several Strobilurin Fungicides:  Abound, Headline and Evito which are only Strobilurins and Stratego which is a Strobilurin and Triazole.  We will soon have Absolute.  The best way to safe guard resistance is to not use the Strobilurin products more than two times in a growing season.    The Companies that make and sell Strobilurin compounds highly recommend that growers do not use but two applications of a straight Strobilurin compound and three max of a mixture in one growing season.  This agreement between the Companies is called the FRAC agreement.  It is very important to follow these guidelines to prevent resistance.

Funky Leaf Spot: This is a Leaf Spot that is brown with very irregular shape and is unique in that it has no spores.  It is not as symmetrical as early and late leaf spot.  It is usually found on the lower leaves.  Typically only the best consultants find it.  Do not try to control it with fungicides as fungicides do not control it.  Most growers go wild trying to treat it, and over spray. 

Rust:  This disease typically only shows up in Mobile, Baldwin and Southern Escambia Counties.  It has been too dry so far for rust.  It may pick up in August if the rains continue. 

White Mold:  Conditions are hot dry and then as fields get some rains White Mold probably will take off.  Some White Mold has already been identified.  Of major concern among Pathologists is that underground White Mold could be a problem this year.  It of course is much harder to detect until closer to harvest.  Start spray program for now.  Do not go too expensive a route now.  Be conservative, but do treat for White Mold now. 

Rhizoctonia Limb Rot: Controlling this disease is important in maintaining vine and peanut peg strength and controlling pod rot. 

TSWV:  This disease is in every peanut field in South Alabama.  It again will have damaging levels in many fields.  As of today July 27, 2006 it does not appear to be at as high a level as it was this time in 2005.  There is no further control a grower can do at this time of year to control TSWV.

                                  Alabama Cotton and Weather Update:

Written on July 26, 2006 by Dr. Ron Smith, Auburn University Cotton Entomologist

            Some areas and fields have now had moisture since about the middle of July. Other areas still have had no measurable rainfall in over two months. As a result some fields will now have harvestable yields, but will be late maturing, often with two ages of bolls. Other fields have little or no yield potential.

            What does the insect situation look like for the remainder of the 2006 season. First of all, what I discuss will pertain to those fields that are worth further input.

            Aphids have either crashed due to the fungus or either the cotton is no longer under drought stress. Either way, aphids appear to be behind us now. However, I don’t ever remember a year where less than 25% of the aphids were infected in most fields tested through July 25. Spider mites have disappeared from most all fields. In Central Alabama, it appears that mites did not coexist well with an aphid infestation.

            Bollworms and tobacco budworm moths were numerous throughout the month of July but field infestations did not materialize. It is suspected that fire ants played a role in many fields. Refugia fields along the Gulf Coast had high numbers of “worm” infested plants the last week of July. However, over most of the area there have been few reports of escape bollworms in blooms on Bollgard cotton. Pyrethroid oversprays have been made on a limited percent of the acreage primarily for bugs. There have been a few reports of square damage in the upper parts of plants in fields planted to Phytogen varieties with the WideStrike gene.

            Fall armyworms have been reported in some fields in south Alabama since the first week of July. This is one pest that we need to watch for the remainder of the season. They will likely infest sporadic fields. Pyrethroids at high labeled rates, applied to early instar larvae, offer the most effective control of FAW’s. However, they must be detected early.

            Tarnished plant bugs have disappeared from most fields – likely due to the hot, dry weather and the lack of shade supplied by the plants. Green areas of fields that are still producing squares will be where scouts should look for plant bugs. Reports indicate that plant bugs are still abundant in some Gulf Coast fields. Scouts should remember that square retention, after first bloom or on drought stressed cotton, is not a good survey method. Dirty blooms, misshaped small bolls, bolls with internal damage or the presence of adult and immature plant bugs in white blooms are good indicators of plant bug levels in mid-late season. I believe most of our plant bug problems are behind us.

            Stink bugs, especially in central and south Alabama are the insect that will offer the most damage potential for the remainder of 2006. This will be especially true where we are attempting to make a late crop following the recent rainfall. Overall stink bug numbers are much lower than they were at this time last season. Fewer sprays will likely be needed in 2006 to control SB’s. This may be one year where an automatic spray the third, fifth and seventh week of bloom is not a necessary approach. Just remember that live stink bug surveys can be misleading. Observing internal damage to bolls, quarter diameter in size, is the most accurate way to check for stink bug damage. Treatments should be made when 15-20% of bolls that size are showing internal damage. Stink bug controls should remain effective for at least 2 weeks unless migration is occurring from other host such as peanuts. We will need to continue surveys and controls where necessary in 2006 as long as there are soft bolls (quarter diameter) present that we hope to harvest. This could mean that stink bugs will need control in October along the Gulf Coast or in late maturing fields.

            I suggest we concentrate all our insect surveys and controls for the remainder of 2006 on those fields that offer respectable yield potential.

                                                     Soybean Update

     On June 27, 2006 soybean rust was found on any soybeans in Alabama.  The disease was found on the sentinel plot in Fairhope.  Only 5 soybean rust pustules were found on three leaves.  As of today July 27th  Asian Rust has not been detected in any commercial field in Alabama. There are four soybean sentinel plots in Southwest AL and twenty across the state.  They are being monitored once a week.  Dr. Ed Sikora updates the Soybean Rust Hotline (1-800-446-0388) for any new information. This is very helpful to growers.  Florida, recently set-up their own toll-free rust hotline (866-361-9942).  This would be a good source of information especially for Alabama growers located near the panhandle of Florida.  

     Soybean growers in Baldwin County should consider an application of a triazole or triazole/strobilurin tankmix if their crop is between the bloom and pod fill stage of growth and if they estimate their crop has the potential to make high yields this year.  The risk of rust in all other parts of the state appear to be low at this time.

     Soybean rust can be controlled with fungicides.  Strobilurin fungicides include Headline and Quadris and are most effective when applied before rust invades a field.  Triazole fungicides include Domark, Folicur and Laredo and can be used in a curative program after the disease has been detected in a field.  Pre-packaged tank mixes of a strobilurin and a triazole such as Headline SBR , Quilt and Stratego are also available.

     It is not economical to apply a fungicide before bloom for soybean rust.  Applications between bloom and pod fill are most critical when the disease is expected in your area.  Here are four scenarios to help you determine when to make your first fungicide application.

     1 - If rust is NOT detected in your region and no forecasting alerts have been issued, Do not spray but reevaluate the situation daily.

     2 - If rust has been observed in your region but has not been observed in your field, consider applying a strobilurin fungicide or a tank mix of a strobilurin and a triazole.  These should be applied immediately if weather conditions (wet weather) favor disease development and you expect more then a 30 bushels per acre average yield from your crop.

3        - If symptoms of rust are visible at low levels in your crop, apply a triazole fungicide or a tank mix of a strobilurin and triazole immediately.

4        - If symptoms of rust are visible at mid canopy in your crop and no fungicides have been applied previously, and wet weather conditions are expected,  applying a triazole fungicide MAY be beneficial, though the crop may not respond to the treatment.

     *A second application may be required 14-21 days later depending on the first fungicide used and the growth stage of the crop.  Strobilurin fungicides provide about 21 days protection while triazole fungicides provide about 14 days protections against soybean rust.

     *Applying fungicides after pod fill is NOT recommended.

                      Wheat and Oat Recommended Varieties for 2006

Wheat acres are expected to almost double this planting season.  Selecting the very best variety for your farm and planting date may easily up your production by ten to twenty bushels per acre.  Most agronomists recommend that if you are planting 100 acres or more plant 3 different varieties to spread out your risk.  Take some time to select your variety to plant and then get you’re Name in the Pot early, as seed may be in short supply.  Using two different planting dates is another way to spread out your risk.

For the past 18 years I have conducted an oat variety test.  This past year 2005-2006 I conducted two.  One was in the Wiregrass and one in Southwest, Alabama on Walt and Rod Richardson’s Farm in Leroy.  The results of both tests were very similar. These results are representative of University data and highly recommend growers use this list in selecting varieties to plant. Here are the results from Walt Richardson’s Test. 

Farmer Cooperator: Walt and Rod Richardson in Washington County

Planted: December 2, 2005                 Harvested: May 24, 2006

Extension Agent:  Richard Petcher

Many growers are interested in oats for straw and forage production.  After looking over University of Georgia and tests conducted at Marianna, Florida and from observations the varieties I suggest for producing the most grain and forage in one oat variety are Horizon 321, Horizon 474 and Harrison.  Horizon 321 is the most disease resistant of these varieties.  Two new varieties Trophy released by University of Florida and Georgia and TAMO 405 released by LSU are excellent oats to plant for grain or forage.

This past year I also conducted two wheat variety tests.  One test was in the Wiregrass and one in Baldwin County with William, Bob and Ben Griffiths.  The results of both tests were similar.  The Griffiths wheat test was planted late.  This made it an excellent test for late planted wheat.  However, if it had been planted earlier the results would have been different.

Farmer Cooperator:  William, Bob and Ben Griffiths in Baldwin County

Planted:  January 3, 2006

Harvested:  June 12, 2006

Growing Conditions:  Planted late and warm weather causing low vernalization affected the yields.

Extension Agent:  Richard Petcher

The Top 3 Varieties Recommended for Georgia Late-Planted Wheat are:

USG 3209, AGS 2010 and Fleming.  These three varieties do well planted late, but if planting very late go with Fleming as it has the shortest vernalization requirement. 

Fairhope Gulf Coast and Brewton Research Centers:

Fleming was the top wheat variety at Fairhope and second at Brewton.  The mild winter helped its production while possibly lowering the yield of others. 

Tifton, Georgia Wheat Grain Performance, 2005-2006

Tifton, Georgia Wheat Forage Performance, 2005-2006

Roberts: This is the number one forage wheat.  The other good news is that it is a public variety.  Growers are often looking for varieties they can grow and sell the seed.  This is an excellent variety for deer plots also.  For grain production it will require treatments with a fungicide as it has only moderate disease resistance.

Dr. Erick Larson, MS State Grain Agronomist, on July 24, 2006 presented at our Small Grain Production Meeting in Summerdale some very interesting information.  He has been of great help to us in Alabama this past year.  The climate in South Alabama is very typical of the wheat growing region of South Louisiana.  LSU conducts extensive research on wheat in that area.  The top three varieties for that area are LA 841, Pioneer 26R61 and Agri Pro Coker 9553 in that order.  I think it would be a very good idea to try some of these varieties especially the LA 841.  All three of these varieties are high yielders and have excellent disease and Hessian fly resistance.

Yellow Striped Rust has been the major disease in MS and GA.  It was a problem in AL in 2005 and is expected to be a new problem for us in AL.

AGS 2000 has for the last several years been planted on more acres in South AL. then any other variety.  Presently it seems to be out yielding the newer AGS varieties here.  One caution is that this variety is not resistant to Yellow Stripped Rust.  This disease in 2005 greatly lowered AL. wheat yields.  In Mississippi YSR is the number one disease on wheat. For this reason AGS 2000 is no longer on MS recommended variety list.  YSR may not be a problem this year in AL.  However, when planting AGS 2000 scout your field in early spring, as this disease is hard to detect early on and often can not be controlled well if found too late. 

The Web Site for the Auburn University, University of Georgia and Mississippi State Small Grains Performance Test are:                                   

Alabama: www.alabamavarietytesting.com

Georgia:  www.griffin.uga.edu/swvt

Mississippi:  www.msucares.com/pubs/crops3.html

This may be helpful to you in looking for University Small Grain Variety Test information.

Again, I hope this information will be helpful to you.