AgAlerts 2003 From Griggs County
By John Swenson, Griggs County Extension Agent


Issue # 5, June 12, 2003


Small Grain Aphids

    The NDSU IPM scouts have been finding cereal aphids in the eastern part of the state this past week.  One aphid of particular concern has been the numbers of Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid (BCOA).  This aphid can transmit Barley Yellow Dwarf virus (BYDV).  There is no control for BYDV except trying to control the vector.  But this is not a guaranteed solution.  
    At this point, infestation levels have been from 25% to as high as 50% of the plant stems infested.  Yield losses occur when 85% infestation levels are achieved.  So at this time, monitor wheat and barley fields for aphid presence.  For more information and identification information, consult the following publication.  
Aphid Management in Small Grains, Corn and Sorghum  E-493.

Leafy Spurge Flea Beetles

    The Griggs County Weed Board is going to be holding collection days for leafy flea spurge beetles when emergence numbers warrant collection.  Keep watching this web site for collection dates, times and locations.  We will have sweep nets available along with bags for transportation.  Coolers equipped with blue ice containers are preferred.  Ice bags are not recommended due to the possibility of the bag leaking and drowning the insects.  One other option is the use of frozen water bottles with some type of barrier between the insects and the frozen containers of the bags will not get wet.  
    The weed board will try and make an effort to arrange for collection of insects for those that cannot be present at the site.  There will be a slight fee for this service.  If you are interested in this, contact the Extension office for times and dates that this service will be available.  We will be checking out sites this next week and a report will be posted on this web site.

Ash Anthracnose

    Cool wet conditions this spring have cause ash trees to be infected with anthracnose, which is caused by a fungus called Gnomoniella fraxini.  Besides premature leaf drop, symptoms include deformed and discolored leaves.  Leaves may show brown to black lesions, often associated with leaf veins; and the leaves may curl along the main vein.  While premature leaf drop is dramatic, it is not usually detrimental to the tree since a flush of new growth will follow.  If defoliation occurs over a number of years, this could have an affect and cause early decline.  
    The best management for this disease is to rake up and destroy all the fallen leaves.  This will reduce the amount of pathogen available to cause new infection.  Fertilizing with high ratios of nitrogen to promote growth will provide for optimal refoliation.   

Crops in Standing Water or Saturated Soils

    How long can a crop survive in flooded conditions is environmentally dependant. Under cool cloudy conditions, soybeans: about 3 days, drybeans: about 1 day, and corn: 2 to 3 days. Under sunny and warm conditions, soybeans: 1.5 days, drybeans: ½ day, and corn 1 to 1.5 days. As temperature and sunny conditions increase, the amount of time decreases.
    Soybeans become nitrogen deficient and also susceptible to iron chlorosis under flooded conditions. Phytophthora root rot in susceptible varieties is frequently associated with flooding damage. Flooding causes anarobic conditions (lack of oxygen) which will cause root damage. As waters subside, plants may start to appear normal but will be stunted and yield losses may occur.

Water Trivia

    What volume of water is associated with a one inch rainfall event.  Doing the math, a one inch rain will yield the following:
27,150 gallons water per acre
4,344,000 gallons per quarter
17,376,000 gallons per section
625,536,000 gallons per township   


Please Contact Our Office For Additional Information
E-mail: john.swenson@ndsu.edu
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