Mississippi County

Check Wheat Tiller Numbers for Green-up Decisions (link to MU Wheat Management Guide)

Dry fall weather and late emergence, could mean low tiller numbers going into the spring.  If tiller numbers are below target, applying a green-up fertilizer application should be considered.  Typically green-up is mid-February for southeast Missouri.  You have approximately a 30 day window between green-up and jointing for additional tillering.    In fields with thin stands a green-up application should be applied while fields that look good it is better to stay off until closer to jointing (mid-March).

Specifically, fields with less than 60 tillers per square foot at green-up, apply at least 40 pounds of nitrogen as soon as a string of 50+ degree days are predicted, mid-February at the latest, to increase tillering and head size. For fields with 60-80 tillers per square foot apply 20-30 pounds.  Applying nitrogen at green-up in a field with over 90 tillers can lead to a thick lush canopy which may increase the risk of disease, lodging and injury from a late cold snap.  The time of greatest need for nitrogen occurs approximately 30 days after green-up (pre-jointing).  Care should be taken to make sure all nitrogen is applied by Feekes growth stage 6 to maximize yields.  Research shows a yield boost by splitting applications on less nitrogen efficient sandy and clay soils. 

Remember that low organic matter (usually sandy) soils of southeast Missouri are also prone to low sulfur conditions and sulfur fertilizers should be part of the nutrient program to prevent deficiency.  Most low sulfur soils require 10 to 15 pounds per acre of sulfur.

Soybean Fungicide Seed Treatments (link to fungicide tables)

Earlier planting, reducing seeding rates, no-tilling?  A soybean seed fungicide treatment could protect your seed investment, especially under cool, wet soil conditions.  Laura Sweets, MU Extension Pathologist, wrote the following and put together a list of seed treatments.  Soybean seed treatment fungicides can be effective in preventing or reducing damage from pathogens that may be carried on the seed or pathogens present in the soil that cause seed decay, seedling blights and root rots of soybean.  Soybean seed treatment fungicides are recommended if there is a concern about seed-borne diseases (ex. Phomopsis seed decay), if the field has a history of a specific early-season soybean disease (ex. field has a history of Phytophthora root rot) or conditions at planting are not favorable for rapid germination and emergence thus favoring early-season soybean diseases (ex. cold and wet soils might favor Pythium seed decay and seedling blight).   Soybean seed treatment fungicides will not improve the germination of seed that has a poor germination rate because of physical cracks in the seed coat, weathering during the seed production year and other physiological factors. 

Before using any agricultural pesticide, read and follow directions on the label accompanying that product.  Federal Law requires that bags containing treated seeds shall be labeled with the following information: “This seed has been treated with (common chemical names of active ingredients) fungicide(s).  Do not use treated seed for food, feed or oil purposes.”

Soybean Seeding Rates: How Low Can You Go?

Seeding rate studies have been conducted, along

with row width studies, off and on for numerous

 years. Over the past four years, research has

indicated that yield begins to level off at 100,000

plants per acre.  Notice the number the vertical

line is pointing to is Stand Density.  You will have

to plant more seeds per acre than this to account

for germination percentage and 90% emergence

rule for viable seed. For example, 150,000 seeds/acre, assuming 85% germination and 90% emergence, the final stand will be around 115,000 plants/acre.  If there is some apprehension, consider trying this on a few select fields to compare your seeding rates with potentially lower rates.

MU Introduces Horizon Point

The University of Missouri has developed a program called Horizon Point, which provides custom weather analysis for your farm.  Custom analysis currently includes rainfall runoff prediction, livestock comfort advisory, weed emergence prediction, black cutworm and alfalfa weevil prediction, rice model, and soil temperature fertilization and planting guides. 

When you sign up for Horizon Point, you provide the latitude and longitude for your farm/field.  Horizon Point then starts capturing weather data for that specific site from the National Weather Service.  Once it has the data, it combines them with similar data which have been collected from a nearby MU Agricultural Weather Station. Finally, Horizon Point sends site‑specific information and advisories to you in an easy to access email report. 

If you would like to enroll for Horizon Point email reports, you will need to access the web site at: www.agebb.missouri.edu/horizonpoint   If you would like more information, please contact Nick Jaskolski at (573) 884-6311 or you may e-mail him at jaskolskin@missouri.edu. 

Private Applicator Training to be Held

University of Missouri Extension will be offering a private applicator training at the Clara Drinkwater Newnam Library on February 21, 2006.  The training is for certification and re-certification of a pesticide license.  Individuals involved in production of agriculture commodities and 18 years of age or older may attend.

There will be two sessions available on Tuesday.  The morning session will begin at 9:00 am.  The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 pm.  Choose a session which best fits your schedule.  Each session will last 2 hours. If you are needing certification or re-certification please call the University Extension Center at 683-6129.

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		University of Missouri Extension Mississippi County mississippico@missouri.edu Updated 05/24/04