AgAlerts 2004 From Griggs County
By John Swenson, Griggs County Extension Agent


Issue # 6, June 14, 2004


Wildlife Services' Cattail Management Program

    I know several areas were treated in Griggs County in 2003 through this program.  The Wildlife Services (WS) is currently taking applications for the 2004 cattail management program.  The cattail management program is a cost-free program to producers.  The presence of sunflower next to wetlands is not required for the program.  The program will begin on or about August 1st of 2004.  If you know of anyone that might be interested in the program, please have them contact Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297.  If you have questions or want additional information, please contact  Ryan L. Wimberly at this e-mail address  ryan.l.wimberly@aphis.usda.gov Or contact the Griggs County Extension Office, 797-3312 or the Griggs County NRCS, 797-2240, for applications for enrollment.  To be eligible for spraying, each wetland must meet certain requirements:

Tan Spot and Leaf Rust 

    The wet, favorable weather conditions, has triggered tan spot and rust to occur in small grains.  All these diseases can be controlled with the use of fungicides. 
Tan Spot: Typical symptoms are 1/8" to 1/4" diameter tan spots on the leaves surrounded by a yellow halo.  Under favorable weather conditions, these spots will spread and join together.  Under cool weather conditions, the spots may have a purplish halo.  For more information and pictures click on the following link.  Tan Spot 
Leaf Rust:  Leafy rust pustules are nearly round and are much smaller than those of stem rust.  They are yellowish red and may be so closely spaced on heavily rusted plants that they give the leaves an orange-red appearance.  As the plants ripen, the rust pustules darken and may appear black.  The dark color is caused by the formation of thick-walled, dark brown, overwintering teliospores.
Stripe Rust:  Infection and sporulation require cool night temperatures.  Stripe rust produces yellow pustules on the heads and leaves.  Pustules on leaves are elongate and often extend the entire length of the leaf blade.

Sprayer Decontamination

    Poor sprayer decontamination can cause unnecessary crop injury or crop losses.  By using proper decontamination procedures listed in your sprayer manual or using the following procedure, can help to eliminate crop injury.
    The following procedure illustrating a thorough sprayer cleanup procedure is effective for most herbicides:

Step 1:  Fill the sprayer tank with clean water.  Spray rinse water through the spray boom.  Sufficient rinse water should be used for 5 minutes or more of spraying through the boom.
Step 2:  Fill the sprayer tank with clean water and add a cleaning solution (many labels provide recommended cleaning solutions).  Fill the boom, hoses, and nozzles and allow the agitator to operate 15 minutes.
Step 3:  Allow the sprayer to sit for 8 hours while full of cleaning solution so the herbicide can be fully desorbed from the residues inside the sprayer.
Step 4:  Spray the cleaning solution through the booms.
Step 5:  Clean nozzles, screens, and filters.  Rinse the sprayer to remove cleaning solution and spray rinsate through the booms.
    Common types of cleaning solutions are chlorine bleach, ammonia, and commercially formulated tank cleaners.  Chlorine lowers the pH of the solution which speeds the degradation of some herbicides.  Ammonia increases the pH of the solution which increases the solubility of SUs and weak acid herbicides.  Commercially formulated tank cleaners generally raise pH and act as detergents to remove herbicides.  Read herbicide label for recommended tank cleaning solutions and procedures.  WARNING:  Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia as a dangerous and irritating gas will be released.  
   
Sprayers should be cleaned as soon as possible after use to prevent the deposit of dried spray residues.  A sprayer should not remain empty overnight without cleaning; fill the tank with water to prevent dried spray deposits from forming.  A clean sprayer is essential to prevent damage to susceptible crops from herbicide contamination.


Please Contact Our Office For Additional Information
E-mail: john.swenson@ndsu.edu
Go to the 2003 AgAlert Index Page