September 14, 2018

Corn & Soybean Production

Left photo showing corn stalk breakage from Gibberela stalk rot and right photo showing corn stalk damage from Fusarium stalk rot. — (L-R) Figure 1. Lodging and stalk breakage, as well as stalk discoloration, are symptoms of stalk rot diseases. (Photo by Terra Hartman) Figure 2. Stalk rot diseases commonly cause discoloration of the stalks and degradation of the white pith between vascular bundle strands. (Photo by Kyle Broderick)

Stalk Rot Diseases in Nebraska Corn Fields

Knowing the risk factors for stalk rot can help you evaluate those fields first and prioritize your harvest schedule accordingly. Submitting plant samples and determining which stalk rot is present can help you better prevent or manage it in future years.

Corn kernels sprouting on the ear — Figure 1. When corn kernels start sprouting on the ear, it's likely due to an imbalance of plant hormones.

Why are Corn Kernels Germinating on the Ear?

What makes corn kernels start sprouting on the ear and what are the implications for harvest and storage? Growers in south central Nebraska are seeing the damage as they scout.

Soybean leaf exhibiting sudden death syndrome

Diseases Confirmed in Corn, Soybean, and Sorghum Aug. 29 - Sept. 13

Sudden death syndrome, charcoal rot, and Anthracnose were among the soybean diseases confirmed by the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic in the last two weeks. In corn gray leaf spot, leaf spots, and crown and root rots led the list of confirmed diseases.

Alfalfa Production

Alfalfa rust — Figure 1. Rust pustules on alfalfa leaves. (Photo by Landron Rhodes, The Ohio State University)

Rust on Alfalfa

Warm, humid weather has caused rust to form in many alfalfa fields throughout our region. While it causes little damage in fields harvested monthly, it can injure and defoliate more mature alfalfa or alfalfa grown for seed.

Dry Edible Bean Production

Dry bean harvest in Scotts Bluff County Sept. 12, 2018 (Photo by Gary Stone) — Dry bean harvest underway in Scotts Bluff County Sept. 12, 2018. (Photo by Gary Stone)

Dry Edible Bean Harvest Underway in the Panhandle

With limited precipitation and warm temperatures this week, dry beans turned quickly and harvest has started. Conditions should provide for good data collection from on-farm research of using direct harvesting methods.

Crop Reports

Composite photo of corn, soybean, and sorghum plants at harvest — Figure 1. USDA NASS forecasts record corn, soybean, sorghum, and sugarbeet yields for Nebraska.

Corn and Soybean Forecast for Record Yields, Production

USDA forecasts record yields for Nebraska corn, soybean, sorghum and sugarbeet and record production for corn and soybean. Nationally, corn is forecast up 2% from 2017 and soybean, up 7%.

Extension Crop Reports Sept. 11, 2018

Extension Educators from across the state report on crop progress in their areas. Generally crops are maturing quickly with the warmer temperatures this week. Stalk rots are a concern in corn and growers are encouraged to check fields and prioritize harvests accordingly.