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AgAlerts 2003 From Griggs County
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Issue # 2, May 9, 2003
Soybean Planting Depth and Seed Treatment
Soybean planting depth is critical to obtain
good stands and yields. Soybeans should not be planted more than two
inches deep with one and one half inch preferable.
For those soybean growers that are re-cropping soybeans, you
might want to look into using seed treatments for early season blights and water
molds. Recent rains has created ideal conditions for Pythium and
Phytophthora infections. There are several seed treatments
available. Avoid seed treatments that contain PCNB and Captan products as
they are toxic to inoculants. Some products that are safe to use include
SoyGard, Apron Max, Warden and Stiletto. Once the seed treatment has dried
on the seed, inoculants can be applied. It is recommended to apply
inoculants just prior to planting to reduce the possibility of inoculant
mortality. For a complete listing of seed treatments for soybeans, consult
the 2003
Fungicide Guide. Always read the label for any special instructions
concerning inoculants and seed treatment applications.
I have been receiving several calls
concerning Colorado spruce trees. The main concern is the amount of needle
loss and the brown to purplish appearance of some of the remaining
needles. There can be several reasons for why this tree is
declining. These include environmental conditions and two major
diseases.
When looking at the tree in question, observe the conditions
surrounding the tree. If the tree is located in a wet or salty location,
this could mean that the tree is suffering from poor soil conditions.
Spruce trees do not grow well in these types of soils. These conditions
have been common since the wet cycle began in 1993 and the stress of these
growing conditions may have finally taken its toll.
Weather conditions this past winter included periods of warm
weather followed by very cold weather along with a relatively open winter.
These conditions were ideal for sunscald. This condition was addressed in
the previous
AgAlert issue.
Two major diseases that affect Colorado spruce trees are Rhizosphaera
kahlkoffii and Cytospora
canker. The wet conditions along with high humidity over the last few
years has been an ideal environment for the development and spread of these
diseases. The disease that I am seeing the most this spring is
Rhizosphaera needle cast. This disease can be controlled but it takes a
few years of fungicide applications during the spring at the time when the trees
are making new needles. The above links will provide more information
concerning the specific disease and controls.
Rain over the past week will provide ideal conditions for the appearance of mushrooms in home lawns. A mushroom is the fruiting body of a wood decaying fungus. They are the result of the fungus decaying lumber, dead tree roots or other wood products buried beneath the soil surface. There is no control other than remove the food source in the soil. Mushrooms will appear when conditions are right and can be disposed of by raking them out.
Nightcrawlers are causing some problems in home yards this spring. Nightcrawlers are very beneficial to the soil's health but they leave unwanted worm casts on the soil surface making the lawn rough. Controlling nighcrawlers can be done with the insecticide Sevin. Apply Sevin and water in to the lawn before dark. As the nightcrawlers come into contact with Sevin they will absorb the insecticide and die. Nightcrawlers are most active in the spring and fall. Once control is achieved, use a power rake or some other implement to knock down the mounds. Nightcrawlers move from lawn to lawn so one application might not solve the problem.
Please Contact Our Office For Additional Information
E-mail: john.swenson@ndsu.edu
Go to the 2003 AgAlert Index Page