Seeds of Success

Featured Seedsman: Doug Mueth, Illinois, (doug.mueth@channelseedsman.com)

Nutrient deficiency is one of many factors that can affect soybean plant growth and development throughout the growing season. Soybean plant age, environmental conditions, and soybean product selection can all impact the nutrient deficiency symptoms you may observe in the field.

Soybeans require at least 13 elements from the soil and three (C, H, O) supplied primarily by air and water. The nutrients most likely to be deficient are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) as they are the major or primary nutrients needed in greater amounts. The secondary nutrients calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) are still needed to be taken up in fairly large quantities. The remainders are micronutrients needed in small amounts.

Nutrient deficiencies are one of the causes of leaf discoloration and/or chlorosis observed in soybean fields at this time of the year. This article describes symptoms of some of the most common nutrient deficiencies in soybeans to help you to understand some of the symptoms you may be seeing out in your field.

Nitrogen (N). Lower leaves turn pale green. One of the causes of chlorotic leaves is ineffective N fixation under cooler and wet soil conditions. Drainage tiles instillation in heavy soils can alleviate N deficiency.
Phosphorus (P). Older leaves begin to show deficiency symptoms of growth stunting, dark green coloration of the leaves with necrotic spots, and leaf cupping. Additionally, P deficiency can delay blooming and maturity. Cool and wet soils decrease P uptake by the root system.
Potassium (K). Similar to P deficiency, K deficiency symptoms occur first on older, lower leaves, although under severe deficiency all but the very young, newly developed leaves may show symptoms. Leaf margins and between the veins show signs of yellow and brown coloration. The causes of K deficiencies are insufficient application of K fertilizer and cool/wet conditions.
Apply the required K rate based on soil analysis and plant soybean in warmer conditions.
Iron (Fe). Chlorosis between the veins of young, upper leaves is the typical Fe deficiency symptom. Calcareous soils with high Ca levels and high pH cause Fe to tightly bound to the soil particle and become unavailable for the plant. Deficiency can be managed by installing drainage tiles in heavier soils and planting high tolerant varieties.
Manganese (Mn). Deficiency symptoms appear on high pH, sandy, or high organic matter soils. Symptoms are similar to Fe chlorosis. Plants are stunted with interveinal chlorosis.

Your Channel Seedsman can work with you to determine if nutrient deficiencies may be affecting your soybean crop and what management steps should be taken.

To learn more on how to recognize nutrient deficiency symptoms in soybeans contact Doug Mueth from Illinois (doug.mueth@channelseedsman.com) or your local Channel Seedsman.

Source: Diaz, D. 2008. Nutrient deficiency symptoms. Agronomy e-Updates, K-State Ext.

Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Channel® and the Arrow Design® and Seedsmanship At Work™ are trademarks of Channel Bio, LLC. Leaf Design® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2012 Monsanto Company. ELW051313.
 

Featured Seedsman: Tyler Vaughn, Illinois (tyler.vaughn@channelseedsman.com)

Don’t have the time or manpower to monitor all of your growing operations day after day? Are there various areas in your fields that don’t produce as expected year after year? Channel Seedsman, Tyler Vaughn, has some advice to help remedy these issues as he discusses grower concerns and the Field Check Up Series.

Q: What question do customers ask you the most?

A: The most common questions I receive from growers usually deals with product placement. In Fairfield, the soil types and soil quality varies greatly. You can have a good sandy loam top soil in one field and then go not more than a mile or two down the road and be dealing with a more clay based soil profile. So product selection is key for each grower in each of their fields.

Q: Do test plots play a role in your recommendations?

A: Yes, because the data we are able to collect from those plots allow us to give better product recommendations to growers. I have two test plots of my own and have gotten my neighbors started on theirs, more Seedsman are recommending test plots with more growers taking the recommendations from the plot results and putting them to use.

Q: What are the benefits of the Field Check Up Series?

A: One of the most obvious benefits of the Field Check Up Series is the time saving aspect. It can be difficult to get a good scout out on every field and because of that there might be problems that arise and go unnoticed until harvest. And of course by then it is far too late to remedy and the Field Check Up Series can help with that. The grower can rest assured that his/her acreage is being monitored so that if a problem does arise it can be resolved quickly.

Q: What is one piece of advice you make sure to pass on to all of your growers?

A: The biggest piece of advice I make sure growers understand is to not cut costs on seed this year. Last year was a hard, dry year and this year farmers are looking to cut costs in any way they can. It is good to reduce costs in some areas, but I can’t stress how important it is to not do so with their seed selection. The yield potential of their seed is one thing you just don’t want to jeopardize.

To learn more about the Field Check Up Series, contact Tyler Vaughn from Illinois (tyler.vaughn@channelseedsman.com) or your local Channel Seedsman.

Channel® and the Arrow Design® is a registered trademark of Channel Bio, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2013 Monsanto Company.

Featured Seedsman: Gene Meyer, Indiana, gene.meyer@channelseedsman.com

Have you ever wondered if the size and shape of the corn seed you plant affects the potential yield at harvest time? Well, genetically, seed size and shape are not related to yield potential. Research from 1937 through recent years has resulted in the same basic conclusions: seed size does not affect yield potential under normal planting conditions¹. That said, exceptions to normal conditions are likely to occur somewhere every year. To understand the effect seed size or shape may or may not have on yield potential, it is helpful to: 1) be aware of how seed size is determined, 2) consider how it might affect emergence and early growth, 3) understand the importance of proper planter settings and know management techniques that may be used to help improve plantability of various seed sizes with different types of planters.

How Seed Size is Determined. Several factors such as specific product characteristics, parent tendencies, and growing conditions, especially during the pollination and fill period, seed sizes from seed production will vary from field to field, and year to year. Seed from a single ear can fall into many size/shape categories. Large rounds usually come from the base of the ear, flats from the center, small flats and small rounds from the tip. Plateless seed usually comes from the base or the tip.

Effect Seed Size and Shape Can Have on Emergence and Early Growth.

• Endosperm Size and Various Field Conditions: If fields are dry at or after planting, you may see slightly lower emergence rates with large seeds because the amount of moisture needed for germination and emergence is relative to the size of the seed. If soil temperatures are cool or soils are crusted you may notice small seed possibly having a disadvantage as the amount of energy needed in those situations may exceed the amount stored in the endosperm. It’s important to keep in mind, that differences in early growth related to seed size generally aren’t apparent by tasseling or soon after¹. Even with the potential effect on emergence and reduced early vigor, the effect of seed size on yield potential generally isn’t significant if harvest populations are similar¹.


• Effect of Processing on Emergence and Vigor of Different Grade Sizes: Before any Monsanto seed is sold to our customers, it goes through cleaning, processing, and quality testing, including germination and vigor tests. While some seed sizes and shapes may be more susceptible to mechanical damage during cleaning and processing, the sample for germination and vigor tests is taken after all of the cleaning and processing is complete. All seed, regardless of grade, is subject to the same industry leading quality standards in place at Monsanto.

Importance of Planter Settings and Management Techniques. This is the area where seed size and shape does matter. Regardless if you have a vacuum planter with a cell disk or a flat disk, or if you have a finger pick-up planter, it would be helpful to understand what tools you have available with your planter to adjust for seed size. Keep in mind that sometimes tools can be as simple as actions, such as the recommended planting speed. Not making the proper adjustments to your planter to account for seed size may cause excessive doubles, triples, or skips, which can reduce grain yield potential by 3 to 10 bushels per acre².

Summary. Overall, seed size does not affect genetic yield potential. Having a planter set properly can improve the chance of achieving an optimal stand by minimizing skips, doubles, and triples. Focusing on genetic yield potential, seed quality, increasing populations, and identifying planter settings that optimize plantability are helpful in increasing yield potential.

To find out more about how the size and shape of your corn seed can affect yield potential, contact Gene Meyer from Indiana(gene.meyer@channelseedsman.com) or your local Channel Seedsman.

Sources: ¹ Elmore, R. and L. Abendroth. April 8, 2005. Do corn kernel size and shape really matter? Crop Watch Newsletter. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

² Nielsen, R. April 12,1996. Seed size, seed quality, and planter adjustments. Purdue Pest Management & Crop Production Newsletter. Purdue University.

Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible. ©2013 Monsanto Company. 04112013EJP

Featured Seedsman: Stanley Knepp, Indiana, stanley.knepp@channelseedsman.com

Just ahead of planting season is a good time to discuss tips related to burndown herbicide applications.

Benefits. There can be several benefits to a successful burndown application, including control of winter annual and early summer annual weeds, increased soil warming, and preservation of soil moisture. When removed in a timely manner, there is less of a chance that weeds will hinder seed-to-soil contact or get balled up in the residue managers or other parts of the planter during planting. Controlling weeds early in the season can also reduce the risk of insects, such as black cutworms, laying their eggs in fields with ample winter annuals.

Timing. Three important factors to consider when making a burndown application are if the field is fit, the size of the weeds, and if there are any plant back restrictions for the herbicide being applied. While it is important to control weeds when they are small and follow plant back restrictions, making applications in fields that are too damp can cause issues throughout the growing season. Burndown herbicide applications often include a Roundup® brand agricultural herbicide tank mixed with 2,4-D or dicamba. The decision between 2,4-D or dicamba depends on weed species, crop, and plant back restrictions. When applying Roundup agricultural herbicides, it is important to take into account that they work best when weeds are actively growing. It can often take three to four weeks for weeds to die. Cool temperatures can slow the activity of Roundup agricultural herbicides.

Rate. The largest or the most difficult to control weed, not the most prevalent weed, should determine the rate of a Roundup agricultural herbicide to be applied. For example, if a field has predominantly 3- to 5-inch henbit, but also has 8- to 12-inch giant ragweed, the recommended rate would likely be determined by the giant ragweed since it has a higher labeled rate than the henbit.

Residual Herbicides. A preemergence residual corn or soybean herbicide can help provide for weed control later into the growing season. Depending on the timing, herbicide to be applied, crop to be planted, and target weed, the residual herbicide application could be a separate application or part of the burndown tank mixture of Roundup agricultural herbicides and 2,4-D or dicamba.

AMS. Including AMS in the spray mix helps maintain the effectiveness of Roundup agricultural herbicides in hard water or when mixed with residual herbicides. AMS should be added to the water before Roundup agricultural herbicides.

Crop Safety. Labels of different formulations of 2,4-D and dicamba herbicides can vary in terms of recommended rate and plant back restrictions. There can be considerable differences in plant back restrictions between the different 2,4-D and dicamba formulations. Please refer to specific individual 2,4-D, dicamba, and residual herbicide labels for rate recommendations, plant back restrictions and other important information to help you obtain good weed control while maintaining crop safety.

Ultimately, well timed burndown and residual herbicide applications, applied at the appropriate rate, can help provide good weed control, which is one step toward protecting the yield potential in your fields.

To learn more about tips related to burndown herbicide applications, contact Stanley Knepp from Indiana (stanley.knepp@channelseedsman.com) or your local Channel Seedsman.

Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Tank mixtures: The applicable labeling for each product must be in the possession of the user at the time of application. Follow applicable use instructions, including application rates, precautions and restrictions of each product used in the tank mixture. Monsanto has not tested all tank mix product formulations for compatibility or performance other than specifically listed by brand name. Always predetermine the compatibility of tank mixtures by mixing small proportional quantities in advance. Roundup® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2013 Monsanto Company. 04092013EJP

Featured Seedsman: Stanley Knepp, Indiana, stanley.knepp@channelseedsman.com

What are your options for applying nitrogen fertilizer this spring?

Trying to optimize nitrogen (N) applications to maximize yield potential and profitability is a conversation about risk.  In a perfect world, we could predict the weather and input prices, and have unlimited resources for supplies, labor, and equipment.  However, we all know this is far from a perfect world!  It often makes sense to apply the majority of the crop required N with fall or spring applications and then supplement as needed by side-dressing.  It also helps to remember the pros and cons for various N sources.  So, let’s start with discussing fertilizer methods, timing, and amounts.

Anhydrous Ammonia (NH₃)is the most widely used N fertilizer and is 82% N by weight.  It is a compressed gas that must be injected into the soil to minimize loss and can be applied in the fall, spring, or sidedressed.  Applying (NH₃) to soils that are too wet or too dry can result in the loss of N into the atmosphere because of poor sealing at the soil surface.  Keep in mind that ammonia is a strong desiccant, which means it can injure living plant or animal tissue by removing water from them. To help reduce seed and seedling injury, wait 3 to 5 days to plant after applying anhydrous ammonia. The majority of the ammonia is converted to ammonium within 8 to 10 days after application. To help minimize seedling injury apply anhydrous at an angle to your corn rows.

Sidedressing, one of the most economical ways to apply nitrogen, should be done near V3 growth stage.  When supplementing previous N applications, sidedressing can be done through the V8 growth stage.

Urea is a combination of anhydrous ammonia and carbon dioxide.  It has a N content of 45% to 46%.  It can be purchased as prills or in the more common form of dry granules.  It is typically broadcast, and should be incorporated.  Urea is converted to ammonia and then to ammonium.  During this conversion process, urea left unincorporated on soil surface is subject to loss due to ammonia volatilization.  Volatilization is promoted by heavy surface residue, warm windy days, and high pH values on the soil surface.  To minimize N loss via volatilization, incorporation should occur within 2 to 3 days after application with tillage or 1/2 inch of rain.  Ammonium applied to the soil via urea will be readily accessible to microbial conversion to NO₃^-; rendering the compound at risk of leaching or denitrification.  Ammonium applied by anhydrous ammonium will not be entirely converted to nitrate for 4-7 weeks (as long as soil temperature is less than 50° F); whereas, ammonium from urea can be converted to NO₃^- in 7 days.  

Spring urea applications are the most common.  Over-the-top crop applications can be done; however, there tends to be more risk from non-uniform application, equipment traffic, and difficulty with incorporation.  That being said, it is a convenient form to use when top dressing wheat as it is relatively quick to apply and the cool temperatures at the time of application help minimize the loss.

Urea-Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) is created by dissolving urea and ammonium nitrate in water.  It is 28% to 32% N by weight. Urea-ammonium nitrate solutions contain 50% urea, 25% ammonium, and 25% nitrate, so losses commonly associated with each N form will also apply with UAN solutions. Fall applications are not feasible due to potential N loss through volatilization and leaching. Spring applications are common by either broadcast or injection.  Many preemergence herbicides are applied with UAN as the carrier. UAN can be applied as a side dress through injection or dribbled on. Injection or incorporation via tillage or rainfall is critical to minimize N loss regardless of application timing.

Ammonium Sulfate (AMS) can occur in two forms.  The conventional AMS is a dry product containing 21% N by weight. AMS can also refer to a manufacturing byproduct which is typically a liquid and only about 6% N.    

Conventional AMS has a fit for farmers who are looking for supplemental sulfur or are looking to reduce the pH in alkaline fields. It is generally applied in early spring or preplant. Post applications are not common due to application difficulties and potential crop injury. 

Byproduct AMS is most often applied in the winter or early spring to minimize compaction and facilitate the volume requirements. Applying a product that is only 6% N requires a large number of gallons to reach desired N rate.  

Other sources of N can include the N component of fertilizers such as diammonium phosphate (DAP), and the N credit from legume crops and manure.

Just remember to always consider the benefits of a nitrification inhibitor if temperatures are greater than 50° F.  The bottom line is when trying to maximize yield potential, make sure the crop has adequate N to do its job. Weigh the benefits and risks for different N application timings and sources and do what best fits your operation.

To learn more about optimizing nitrogen in your area contact Stanley Knepp from Indiana  (stanley.knepp@channelseedsman.com) or your local Channel Seedsman.