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2007 demonstration plot tour
By David G. Hallauer District Extension Agent, Crops, Soils/Horticulture Kansas The 2007 Demonstration Plot Tour is scheduled for Aug. 22. I hope you will plan to attend. This year's tour will include a variety of topics in addition to the variety discussion of the irrigated and dryland corn and soybean plots. During the early morning portion, we'll view the irrigated corn variety plots at Grantville, followed by a herbicide resistant weed plot near Meriden. In the late morning, we'll head to Winchester, viewing the dryland corn and soybean plot. At Winchester, we'll also view fungicide plots on corn and soybean, a corn population trial, and a fertility treatment side by side. Lunch will follow, sponsored by demonstration plot seed dealers and local cooperatives. More information is available by contacting the Oskaloosa Office at 785-863-2212. You can also visit us on the web at www.oznet.ksu.edu/md7/. A flyer and plot information is posted here. A detailed schedule will follow here next week. Bacterial wilt of cucumber and muskmelon Some cucumbers and muskmelons are now showing symptoms of the disease bacterial wilt. Initial symptoms appear as individual leaves drooping. These leaves may recover overnight only to wilt during the next day. Eventually the whole plant wilts, turns brown and dies. There is no cure for infected plants. There is a good diagnostic field test for this disease. Cut a plant near the crown and squeeze sap from the newly cut stem. Heavily infected plants will ooze a milky sap from the cut stem. Regardless of whether you see the milky sap, touch a clean knife to the cut surface and draw the surfaces apart. If you see fine threads stringing from the stem and the knife blade, then the plant has bacterial wilt and should be destroyed to prevent further spread of the disease. The cucumber beetle carries bacterial wilt. Feeding by these insects results in deep wounds to leaves. Bacteria enter these wounds infecting the rest of the plant multiplying within the water conducting vessels of the plant until water movement is obstructed. Symptoms normally appear six to seven days after infection. There is no cure for bacterial wilt. Control is aimed at preventing infection by the beetles. Because cucumber beetles overwinter as adults, early control is essential. There are two types of cucumber beetles: Striped and spotted. The striped cucumber beetle is the most common. The 1/4-inch long striped cucumber beetles are conspicuously colored: Black head and antennae, straw yellow thorax and yellowish wing covers with three distinct parallel and longitudinal black stripes. Beetles deposit their eggs in the soil around the bases of host plants. Protect young plants by using row covers, cones, or other types of mechanical barriers. Seal edges to ensure that the beetles do not find a place of entry. Plants will eventually outgrow these barriers or they will need to be removed to allow insect pollination of the flowers. Apply insecticides before you notice beetles in the planting. Continue to spray until the end of the season on weekly intervals. Homeowners can use rotenone, permethrin (numerous trade names), or methoxychlor. Check labels for waiting periods.
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