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This time of year look for diseases, keep safe at harvest
By Allan Brax
Pioneer Hi-Bred agronomist
Goss's wilt is a bacterial disease that overwinters in infected corn residue. Goss's wilt usually enters the plant when infected rainsplash contacts a wound caused by hail, wind or other means. Goss's wilt symptoms begin as necrotic or dead lesions on the leaf tissue. Additionally, lesions may have a purple-to-green-speckled appearance. A classic characteristic of Goss's wilt is the production of bacterial exudates that form a varnish along the edges of the necrotic and healthy areas of the leaf. Goss's wilt limits yield by causing premature death in corn. Timing of the infection has a critical role in the disease's influence on grain yield. Early infections lead to the greatest yield reductions, whereas late infection may have little yield influence. Yield reductions of 50 percent have been documented when susceptible hybrids were infected early in the growing season. Other agronomic issues such as stalk lodging may result in fields that have prematurely died from Goss's wilt.
Harvest safety: Good weather and daylight hours always seem to be at a premium when you are trying to harvest a crop in top condition. Planned maintenance and skilled equipment operation can curb downtime and reduce the potential for accidents during harvest. Preventing accidents is the key to a safe harvest.
University of Maine Extension provides the following harvest safety tips:
--Safe completion of any task depends on knowledge, alertness and hazard awareness. Fatigue, drowsiness and illness can lead to mishaps in the field. Recognize when you have had enough, and turn the operation over to someone else.
--Periodic breaks relieve the monotony of machinery operation.
--Equipment operators should be dressed for comfort and safety. Protective footwear and close-fitting clothes are essentials when working in and around machinery. Wear appropriate safety gear if noise, dust or toxic materials pose hazards.
--Teach workers proper techniques and safety precautions. Enforce safety rules. Allow only age-appropriate work. Follow the no seat, no rider rule. Do not allow people to board or disembark any moving piece of machinery.
--Perform all routine maintenance on schedule. Fuel up and lubricate equipment so it's ready for the next day. Take steps to prevent condensation and corrosion.
--Never clean, oil or adjust any equipment when it is running. Always make sure the machine has stopped operating to avoid injury.
--Secure all guards and shields before starting equipment. These protective devices reduce the chance that people will get caught in moving parts.
--Hydraulically raised equipment should be securely blocked before anyone starts working around or under the machine. Do not operate the hydraulic controls from beside or behind the tractor. Operate them only from the tractor seat so you will have full control over the entire machine.
--Never stand behind or under the discharge spout of an operating crop harvester. Hard objects coming out of the spout become dangerous projectiles. Completely stop the harvester before hooking up wagons to avoid being hit by objects from the spout.
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. Allan Brax, Sterling, Colo., is an agronomist with Pioneer Hi-Bred.
Date: 9/22/04
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