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Notes to consider when selecting varieties
By John Murray and Shawn Collins
Pioneer Hi-Bred agronomists
Using yield comparison data when selecting hybrids and varieties: For decades on-farm comparisons have helped growers measure performance and plan for the next year's crop needs. Yield data from one side-by-side or plot comparison is important, but a decision should not be made from this alone. An on-farm hybrid or variety-test plot provides valuable information about how products perform at that location during that growing season only. Comparisons of hybrids or varieties should include at least 10 different locations in order to make a prediction about how that product may perform in the future. It is very important to look at yield data over a two- or three-year period, if possible, and to plant a package of hybrids or varieties that fits your individual farming operation. Consult with your Pioneer representative for yield results in your area.
Managing secondary soil insects in corn: Management of secondary soil insects is challenging. Variable distribution of insects within the field complicates scouting, and not all insects have clearly established scouting and treatment guidelines. Damage by secondary insects also depends on weather conditions during germination and early seedling growth. Cold, wet conditions leave seed and small seedlings at risk from insect feeding for longer periods and often unable to outgrow feeding damage. Intermediate and long-term weather forecasts are not very dependable, so the need for control measures cannot always be predicted.
No rescue treatments are available for secondary insects. In the past, management options were largely limited to planting-time soil insecticides, but today, seed-applied insecticides offer growers a practical, effective and safe alternative.
Furrow-applied, T-banded or banded soil insecticides can help protect the seed and seedling zone from insect damage. However, scouting soil insects prior to planting is difficult, due to their spotty distribution in fields, their movement up and down in the soil profile, the labor-intensive nature of the scouting and other demands on growers at this time of the season. Wireworm scouting and treatment decisions are based on building "traps" or "bait stations" to determine wireworm populations just prior to planting. The time and labor required to build and check bait stations makes it impractical for most growers who farm large acreages of corn. On the other hand, applying full rates of soil insecticides simply as "insurance" against wireworms and other secondary soil insects is usually not a cost-effective strategy. Farmers who apply soil insecticides for control of corn rootworm, however, also protect against secondary insects.
Pioneer will offer corn growers their choice of two seed-applied insecticides on selected hybrids for the 2005 planting season. Each of the insecticide seed-treatment options helps to improve plant stands and crop performance by protecting germinating seeds from damage and stand loss caused by wireworms and seedcorn maggots. The labels also indicate reduced feeding by white grubs during emergence and seedling stages and seedling protection from flea beetles through the first true leaf stage.
In addition, the treatments arrive at the farm on the seed and in the bag, eliminating time previously spent loading and calibrating granular and liquid soil-applied insecticide equipment. There are no containers to handle and return, no extra requirements for disposal of seed bags and no special protective clothing required in addition to what is normally recommended for handling seed corn. Contact your hometown Pioneer professional for more information.
Editor's note: Crop Talk is brought to you by agronomists serving your community to keep you informed about current growing conditions and important management issues. John Murray, Goodland, Kan., and Shawn Collins, Sublette, Kan., are agronomists with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Date: 10/19/04
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