Scouting and Management Strategies for Cotton Bollworm Control

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:44:08 GMT

You can do everything right early in the season to establish a strong cotton crop, but cotton bollworm pressure in July and August can quickly undo a lot of that effort.

Increased pest pressure and reduced susceptibility to Bt traits in some areas have complicated cotton bollworm control, requiring a more active approach as the season progresses.

While Bt cotton still provides important protection, it works best as part of a broader strategy. Consistent scouting, awareness of economic thresholds and timely interventions all play a role in protecting yield and fiber quality during this critical window.

Cotton bollworm identification and life cycle

Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is an economically important caterpillar pest in cotton, with 1% to 1.5% yield losses in some regions.1,2 Accurate, early identification is critical. Distinguishing bollworm eggs and small larvae from other caterpillar pests, like budworms, ensures targeted management.

The adult cotton bollworm moth lays eggs on various parts of the plant, and once larvae emerge, they can quickly move into squares and small bolls where feeding begins. Eggs can hatch in as little as three days, and the full life cycle can be completed in about a month under favorable conditions.

Larvae vary in color from green to brown as they develop, but size is the more important factor for control decisions. Early, less destructive instar larvae are easier to control. As they grow, larvae can move deeper into fruiting structures, where they are less exposed to treatments.3

Scouting and economic thresholds

To stay ahead of cotton bollworms, consistent scouting and adherence to economic thresholds are essential. During peak summer pressure, scout at least weekly, increasing to every two to three days as activity builds. Focus on plant terminals, squares and developing bolls where eggs are laid and early feeding begins.4

Before bloom, the economic threshold for non-Bt cotton is ten eggs or five small worms per 100 plants between July and August. For Bt cotton, like TwinLink, it’s ten worms per 100 plants.5 However, economic thresholds can vary by region, crop stage and trait package.

Thresholds for bollworm before bloom are often based on higher larval counts, while during bloom and boll development, treatment is typically justified at around 4 larvae (≥1/8 inch) per 100 plants or 6% fruit injury in Bt cotton.6 In some systems, egg thresholds near 10–20 eggs per 100 plants may also be used during early bloom to anticipate pressure. These stage-dependent thresholds reflect the need to target damaging larvae while preserving beneficial insects and delaying resistance.

Bt resistance in transgenic cotton

Bt traits in cotton have significantly reduced reliance on insecticide applications and continue to provide an important foundation for bollworm control. However, in some regions, reduced susceptibility to Bt traits has been observed, resulting in surviving or “escaped,” larvae.

Bt cotton should still be scouted regularly to confirm performance. Monitoring for live larvae in squares and bolls helps determine whether additional control measures are needed. Observing nearby refuge areas, such as non-Bt cotton or alternate host plants, can also provide insight into local pressure.7

Insecticide selection for cotton bollworm control

When economic thresholds are reached, insecticide effectiveness depends on both product selection and targeting the correct life stage. Applications aimed at early instar larvae are generally more effective and help prevent damage before larvae move deeper into squares and bolls.

When selecting products for cotton bollworm control, consider efficacy, residual control and impact on beneficial insects. A range of insecticide options are available, including products such as Fastac® and other labeled solutions.

Cultural practices and integrated pest management

Cultural practices such as managing nitrogen levels and consistent irrigation to avoid excessive vegetative growth can make fields less attractive to an egg-laying bollworm moth. These practices support, but do not replace, scouting and treatment decisions. When combined with thresholds and timely applications, they contribute to a broader integrated pest management strategy that helps you maintain cotton bollworm control throughout the season.

Experts are available to help you make your insecticide decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a professional like your regional BASF representative .

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Endnotes

https://ipmdata.ipmcenters.org/documents/pmsps/PMSP%20Southern%20Plains%202024%20October%2031.pdf, https://www.cotton.org/beltwide/proceedings/2005-2022/data/conferences/2006/pdfs/1135-1150.pdf
Williams, Michael R. Cotton Insect Loss Estimates—2005. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America, 2006, pp. 1135–1150. https://ipmdata.ipmcenters.org/documents/pmsps/PMSP%20Southern%20Plains%202024%20October%2031.pdf
Barlow, V. M., et al. Cotton Bollworm. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cotton, UC ANR Publication 3444, revised continuously, https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/cotton/cotton-bollworm/#gsc.tab=0
Zukoff, Anthony, and Logan Simon. Mid-Season Insect Management for Cotton Production. Kansas State University Agronomy eUpdate, 11 July 2024, https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/mid-season-insect-management-for-cotton-production-599-5 .
Zukoff, Anthony, and Logan Simon. Mid-Season Insect Management for Cotton Production.
Towles, Tyler, Don Cook, and Whitney Crow. “Bollworm Management in Soybeans and Cotton.” Mississippi Crops, 15 July 2025, Bollworm Management in Soybeans and Cotton .
Stewart, Scott D. Bt Cotton. University of Tennessee Extension, https://utcrops.com/cotton/insects-and-mites/biological-control/bt-cotton/ .

Symptoms of Southern Rust in Corn: When to Scout and What to Look For

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:08:35 GMT

A “wait-and-see” strategy will work for a lot of pests and diseases, but southern rust isn’t one of them. After widespread pressure across the Midwest in 2025, this disease is no longer just a southern concern. It’s a midseason risk that can move fast in many regions in the US under the right conditions.

Southern rust in corn will rapidly spread under hot, humid conditions, and uncontrolled infections can significantly impact grain fill and yield. That’s why early identification is key to keeping southern rust in check this year.

Southern corn rust symptoms

Southern rust corn infections are caused by a fungus called Puccinia polysora. It was typically confined to the tropics and the US South, but recently it has spread as far north as Minnesota and North Dakota.

The most common southern corn rust symptoms are raised pustules, which break through the outer leaf surface. The pustules range from orange to tan and are usually 1/16-inch ovals.¹ If you rub your finger over the pustules, you’ll notice red streaks of spores on your fingertips.

Look for pustules in the middle to upper canopy. Most pustules form on the upper side of the leaf. On the underside of the leaf, you’ll see chlorotic spots directly beneath each pustule, but not raised structures.

That upper-surface pattern is one of the most reliable ways to confirm what you’re seeing.

Common rust vs southern rust in corn

Southern rust and common rust share similar symptoms and signs, but there are some key differences.

Common rust in corn produces darker, brick-red pustules on both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Southern rust produces lighter orange pustules that are concentrated almost entirely on the upper surface.²

That distinction makes scouting more straightforward. If pustules are present on both sides of the leaf, you’re likely dealing with common rust. If they’re confined to the upper surface with chlorosis underneath, southern rust is the more likely diagnosis.

Southern rust is also more aggressive. Under warm, humid conditions, it can develop and spread much faster than common rust, increasing the risk of yield loss if it’s not caught early.

Where and when to scout for rust in corn

Start scouting for southern rust in the upper canopy, where infections are most likely to appear first. Early infections can be easy to miss, but once conditions favor disease development, spread can accelerate quickly.

Southern rust thrives when temperatures approach 80 F and humidity remains high.³ In the Midwest, that typically puts peak risk in mid-to-late July through August.

Focus scouting efforts on:

Fields that were planted later than average
Hybrids with known susceptibility
Areas of the field where humidity lingers, such as low spots or dense canopy zones

Scouting is the first step in southern corn rust management

Scouting for southern rust in corn will determine the next actions you take.

Fungicide applications are typically recommended between VT-R3. This is a critical window for protecting your yield. Detecting southern rust early in that window gives you time to make an informed decision about which fungicides to apply.

Waiting until the disease is obvious across the field often means the opportunity to protect yield has already narrowed. Fungicide applications won’t cure an infection if southern corn rust symptoms are prevalent, but they can prevent further spread.

Fungicide applications are most effective when they’re timed to protect the crop during key reproductive stages. Products like Veltyma® or Headline AMP® can be part of a broader management strategy, but only if they’re applied before the disease gets ahead of the crop.

Experts are available to help you navigate scouting for corn rust. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

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Endnotes

Bradley, Carl A., et al. An Overview of Southern Rust. Crop Protection Network, 2019. CPN-2009, https://doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20190620-006
Ahumada, Daisy. Corn Rusts: Common and Southern Rust. North Carolina State University Extension, 27 Sept. 2023, https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/corn-rusts-common-and-southern-rust .
Crop Protection Network. Southern Rust Spreads Across Corn Fields This Season. 28 Aug. 2025, https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/news/southern-rust-spreads-across-corn-fields-this-season .

Gray Leaf Spot: Scouting and Identification of Corn Leaf Spot Symptoms

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:37:53 GMT

Gray leaf spot in corn doesn’t start when you first see it. It begins earlier, low in the canopy, and builds until conditions allow it to spread. By the time it’s obvious across the field, the opportunity to act early is already gone.

Under the right conditions, gray leaf spot can move quickly and reduce yield potential. The key is knowing when to start looking and what to look for before the disease reaches the upper canopy.

When and where to look for gray leaf spot in corn

Gray leaf spot corn infections typically begin in the lower leaves, often two to three weeks before tasseling.¹ That makes the pre-tassel window a critical time to start scouting, especially in fields with corn residue where the disease can overwinter.

Gray leaf spot develops under warm, humid conditions, especially when leaves stay wet from dew, fog or frequent rainfall. It tends to be most prevalent in minimum-till or no-till systems, especially in corn-on-corn systems, where infected residue remains on the soil surface

How to recognize early symptoms

Early symptoms of gray leaf spot in corn begin as small, tan necrotic spots on the lower leaves, often surrounded by a faint yellow halo. These initial lesions can be easy to miss, especially when scouting quickly or focusing on the upper canopy.

As the disease progresses, the lesions will expand and turn gray. The lesions are confined between the leaf veins, but can grow into each other, eventually reducing photosynthesis or, in some severe cases, killing the entire leaf.²

What to look for when identifying gray leaf spot in corn

When you’re scouting for gray leaf spot, start with the shape of the lesions. Gray leaf spot tends to form long, rectangular spots that run straight along the leaf veins. They don’t cross the veins. That’s one of the easiest ways to tell you’re looking at gray leaf spot and not something else.

Most of the time, you’ll find the first symptoms of leaf spot of corn in the lower canopy. But what really matters is whether it’s starting to move up the plant. If you’re seeing those same rectangular lesions working their way into the middle or upper leaves, that’s a sign the disease is gaining ground.

The color can throw you off a bit. In humid conditions, the lesions look grayer. In drier weather, they can look tanner. Either way, focus on the shape and how they’re staying between the veins.

Distinguishing gray leaf spot in corn to avoid common misdiagnosis

One of the most common mistakes when scouting is confusing corn gray leaf spot with bacterial leaf streak. At a glance, they can look similar, but there are a few key differences that are easy to spot once you know what to look for.

As mentioned, gray leaf spot lesions are straight and rectangular, staying neatly between the leaf veins. The edges are clean and well-defined, almost as if they were drawn with a ruler.

Bacterial leaf streak, on the other hand, looks more irregular. The lesions tend to have wavy, uneven edges and often cross the veins rather than remain confined between them. They can also look more “smeared” or streaked across the leaf surface.³

Identifying gray leaf spot correctly matters. Misidentifying the disease can lead to spraying the wrong product or wasting money on an ineffective treatment, as fungicides do not control bacterial diseases such as bacterial leaf streak. Early detection helps determine whether a fungicide application is needed and ensures it’s applied at the right time for maximum effectiveness.

Gray leaf spot is easier to manage when you find it early, not after it’s moved through the canopy. A few extra minutes spent scouting at the right time can make all the difference.

Experts are available to help you make your disease management decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional, such as your regional BASF representative .

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Endnotes

Crop Protection Network. Gray Leaf Spot of Corn. 19 Mar. 2019, https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/encyclopedia/gray-leaf-spot-of-corn .
Crop Protection Network. Gray Leaf Spot of Corn.
Jardine, Doug. Fungicide Management of Gray Leaf Spot: Don’t Miss Treatment Window. Agronomy eUpdate, no. 755, Kansas State University Department of Agronomy, 28 June 2019, https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/fungicide-management-of-gray-leaf-spot-don-t-miss-treatment-window-343 .

Engenia Herbicide is Back

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:50:20 GMT

When it comes to weed control, selecting an effective herbicide is a critical decision, not just a routine input choice. With increasing weed pressure, extreme weather variability and ongoing market shifts, the right herbicide can protect yield and profitability. Farmers need proven, effective solutions that allow them to stay nimble and resilient in increasingly unpredictable growing seasons.

“Herbicide decisions carry more weight than they did a decade ago,” says Nick Fassler, Director of Technical Service at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “They influence not just weed control, but also trait and crop decisions, application timing and stewardship requirements.”

Every season demands a plan built for uncertainty. For soybean and cotton farmers, they need solutions that are effective, reliable and proven — that’s where Engenia^®herbicide comes in.

Built for the Way You Farm

Engenia herbicide is back for 2026 and now federally registered for use in dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. Engenia herbicide delivers powerful knockdown of over 200 broadleaf weeds, including Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, kochia, morning glory and ragweed.

“Farmers have seen the difference formulation can make,” says Fassler. “With Engenia herbicide, you’re getting the most power per ounce of any other trait-enabled dicamba formulation on the market.”*

Engenia herbicide brings application efficiency into the equation. With a 12.8 fluid ounces per acre (fl oz/A) use rate, the lowest in its class, it simplifies logistics and handling during application. A straightforward 1 gallon per 10 acres (gal/A) conversion keeps mixing and loading straightforward when spray windows are tight.

“Engenia herbicide is built for the way you farm,” says Fassler. “It’s formulated to help you pivot based on what the season gives you.”

Consistent Performance

Consistency is one of the most important factors in herbicide selection for soybeans and cotton. A product that performs reliably across acres and conditions gives farmers something they can plan around.

Engenia herbicide is built with an exclusive BAPMA salt formulation designed for consistent, reliable results, and has been trusted by farmers across more than 100 million acres.

“What we hear from farmers is they want to know what to expect with a product,” says Fassler. “When herbicides perform consistently, it allows them to make decisions with confidence and keep their operations moving.”

Portfolio Power

Strong weed control programs aren’t built solely around a single pass. They are built as systems that work together across the season to manage pressure and reduce the risk of resistance.

Engenia herbicide is part of the BASF crop protection portfolio, which includes Liberty^® ULTRA herbicide. Liberty ULTRA herbicide provides powerful activity that complements dicamba, helping control weed escapes and extend control across glufosinate-tolerant soybean and cotton acres.

Liberty ULTRA herbicide consistently outperforms competitors, winning 9 out of 10 head-to-head comparisons and delivering 20% superior weed control versus generics.¹

“When used sequentially in a program, Engenia herbicide and Liberty ULTRA herbicide provide a proven approach that helps to keep fields clean throughout the season,” says Fassler.

Backed by BASF

Great products perform best with strong support in the field. BASF local sales teams have been rated #1 by farmers for three consecutive years for their dedication, expertise and support for farmers.²

Alongside your local agronomist, they can help you design a crop protection program that fits your operation. Additionally, BASF can provide technical and stewardship resources to help you make every application count.

Plan Your Program

When uncertainty is part of every season, the goal isn’t just performance. It’s performance you can count on. Engenia herbicide delivers this through consistency, along with the power and efficiency needed to manage the toughest weed challenges in soybeans and cotton.

Contact your local retailer or BASF representative to learn more about Engenia herbicide.

*Engenia herbicide offers the highest concentration of active ingredient compared to other dicamba-tolerant alternatives labeled for cotton and soybeans.
¹ BASF sponsored field research trials 2022-2023, 52 trials, nationwide
²Stratus Farmer Survey 2021-2023

Always read and follow label directions. Engenia herbicide is a U.S. EPA Restricted Use Pesticide. All Engenia herbicide applications must be made in accordance with all applicable Federal and state label requirements. In the event a state implements a more stringent Engenia herbicide application restriction, that state restriction will apply. Every application of Engenia herbicide requires the use of a Volatility Reduction Agent (VRA) (visit www.engeniaherbicide.com/VRA for a list of approved VRAs and required rates) and the use of an oil emulsion Drift Reducing Agent (DRA) at a rate of 0.3% v/v. Engenia and Liberty are registered trademarks of BASF. Copyright ©2026 BASF Agricultural Solutions US LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Strategies for Controlling Late-Season Weed Escapes in Corn and Soybeans

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 22:05:20 GMT

As your corn and soybean crops enter July, August and September, keep a close eye on weed escapes. Troublesome weeds such as Palmer amaranth, horseweed and kochia are notorious for releasing seeds that survive through the winter and cut into future yields.

Here’s a quick corn and soybean weed control guide to help you manage late-season weed escapes.

Weed control in soybean and corn: How weed escapes wreak havoc

A single Palmer amaranth plant can produce as many as 500,000 seeds, many of which can remain viable in soil up to five years.¹ Remarkably, common lambsquarters can be viable for 40 years.² Velvetleaf seed, meanwhile, can last 60 years.³

If weeds were left to grow uncontrolled, U.S. and Canadian corn and soybean yields could be reduced by approximately 50%. That would translate into $43 billion in annual economic losses to corn and soybean crops.⁴

Locations and causes of end-of-season weed escapes

Weed escapes frequently occur around field edges, in wheel tracks, in planting skips or in field areas with underdeveloped crop canopy. These escapes are typically:

Weeds that are not controlled by pre or post herbicides. Root causes can include improper application or poor application timing.
Weeds that emerge late in the season after herbicide applications and when residual control is fading.
Herbicide-resistant weeds that are not controlled by your herbicide program.

Improper application and environmental conditions can also work together to impair corn and soybean weed control, as when soil-applied herbicides are not properly activated with adequate rainfall.⁵

Weed seeds can also hitch a ride from field to field on harvest equipment, causing economic impact from added weed pressure in future seasons.⁶

What makes weed escapes hard to manage?

An occasional weed escape in an otherwise clean field will likely have a negligible effect on this year’s corn and soybean yields. What you want to avoid is a trickle-down effect in which many seeds grow out of control.

The level of pain your weeds inflict depends on several factors, including:

Which weed species you face (e.g., weeds such as marestail, waterhemp, and Palmer amaranth can require an aggressive mid-season control strategy)
Reasons for the escape (e.g., herbicide resistance, which could indicate bigger challenges and the need for a more robust weed-management plan)
The presence of other in-field pests, such as soybean cyst nematode, which can overwinter in winter annual weeds and make it even harder for your soybean crop to compete and thrive

Weed escapes eat into your corn and soybean productivity by producing viable seeds that exponentially increase the weed seed bank and devour water and nutrients.

They also eat into your bottom line: Weed seeds can contaminate trucks you haul to the elevator, resulting in dockages.⁷

Strategies for weed control in soybean crop and corn fields

Although it isn’t always realistic to do so, you should ideally pull weeds before they set and drop seeds. Mowing can be another helpful pre-harvest activity, though it should be done before seed set to be effective. Remember: This won’t curb weed seeds that have already dropped to the ground.

Remove distinct patches of weeds and keep records of their location for future scouting and management in future crops.

Products from the BASF herbicide portfolio can also help you keep weeds in check.

Experts are available to help you learn how to manage late-season weed escapes before they become next year’s headache. Reach out to your nearby extension office agent or a company professional like your regional BASF representative .

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Endnotes

“Managing Weed Escapes.” University of Maryland Extension, https://extension.umd.edu/resource/managing-weed-escapes/ . Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Michigan State University Extension. “Common Lambsquarters.” Michigan State University Extension, n.d., https://www.canr.msu.edu/weeds/extension/common-lambsquarters . Accessed 19 March 2026.
Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. “Velvetleaf.” Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, n.d., https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/velvetleaf . Accessed 19 March 2026.
Kansas State University. “Left Uncontrolled, Weeds Would Cost Billions in Economic Losses Every Year.” ScienceDaily, 11 Feb. 2025, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160516130720.htm . Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Lingenfelter, Dwight. “Early Season Residual Herbicide Issues: Corn and Soybean.” Penn State Extension, The Pennsylvania State University, 7 May 2024, extension.psu.edu/early-season-residual-herbicide-issues-corn-and-soybean . Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Hunter, Mike. “Weed seed movement and equipment clean out.” College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, cals.cornell.edu/weed-science/ecological-management/weed-seed-movement-and-equipment-clean-out . Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Naeve, Seth, et al. “Got Weeds in Your Beans? You’re Not Alone - Take II.” Minnesota Crop News, University of Minnesota Extension, 12 Sept. 2022, blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2022/09/got-weeds-in-your-beans-youre-not-alone.html . Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Managing Soybean Aphids and Bean Leaf Beetles in the Early Growing Season

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:10:51 GMT

Early-season soybean pests often arrive before growers expect them.

Bean leaf beetle populations often peak just as seedlings emerge. Around the same time, soybean aphids, having migrated off alternative hosts, arrive looking for a new home.

Because of this early dual threat, timely scouting and management decisions are critical to protecting crops.

Early scouting and soybean aphid control

Seed treatments can help protect against early-season pests, but that protection often declines before soybean aphids begin colonizing fields, making soybean aphid scouting the most reliable way to determine when intervention is needed.

Monitor fields regularly and apply insecticide only when populations reach the soybean aphid economic threshold of 250 aphids per plant on roughly 80% of plants, with populations increasing. This provides a five- to seven-day window for treatment before populations reach levels that can cause economic damage.¹

This helps you avoid unnecessary applications while still protecting yield when populations necessitate it.

What do soybean aphids look like?

Soybean aphids are small, yellow-green insects that cluster on stems and the undersides of leaves.

Soybean aphids often establish colonies on the newest leaves and terminal buds, so these areas should be checked first. You may also notice indirect indicators of aphid activity. Lady beetles are aphid predators, and their presence can signal nearby aphid colonies. Ants may also indicate infestations, since they feed on the honeydew soybean aphids excrete and often protect aphid colonies from predators.

Sticky leaves, honeydew or shed aphid skins can also signal growing populations.

Insecticides for soybean aphids

When the economic threshold for soybean aphid is reached, timely control measures are needed to prevent yield loss.

Be aware that some foliar insecticides can kill not only aphids but also beneficial predators that suppress aphid populations. This disruption of natural enemies may lead to aphid resurgence later in the season or outbreaks of secondary pests.²

Using selective insecticides can help maintain beneficial insects while still providing effective soybean aphid control. Regional pest forecasting maps can also help growers anticipate outbreaks and better time soybean aphid insecticide applications.

Early scouting and bean leaf beetle control

Economic injury from bean leaf beetle feeding early in the season is relatively uncommon because soybeans can tolerate moderate defoliation. However, treatment may be warranted when leaf feeding reaches about 15% defoliation during reproductive stages and beetles are still actively feeding in the field.³

Scouting early is key to proactively gauging your crop’s level of infestation.

Scouting and identifying bean leaf beetle damage

Bean leaf beetles are typically yellow with black markings, but different morphs can be gray, brown, red and orange too. The most common traits shared by the morphs are a black triangle behind their thorax and six black spots with a black band around their wings.

The larvae will damage roots, and adults will feed on leaves and pods. Adult damage will look like small, round holes in the leaves.

Fields that emerge first should be prioritized when scouting, as they often attract large numbers of overwintering bean leaf beetles. Early-planted soybeans are particularly vulnerable because adult beetles are already active when seedlings begin to emerge.

Growers can also track beetle activity using degree-day models that estimate emergence relative to crop development. These models sum up daily average temperatures beginning around soybean emergence and can help predict when first-generation adult beetles are likely to appear in fields.

Insecticides for bean leaf beetle control

Before flowering, bean leaf beetle insecticide treatment is typically recommended when defoliation reaches 30% and beetles are still present in the field. After flowering, the threshold decreases to 20% defoliation, as plants become more sensitive to leaf loss.⁴

Heavily infested fields can sometimes act as trap crops, concentrating beetles in a single area and allowing early intervention before populations spread.

Early-planted soybeans, fields with a history of high bean leaf beetle pressure or those at risk for bean pod mottle virus may benefit from insecticidal seed treatments. Foliar applications of Fastac® CS at 2.8–3.8 fl oz/a can also provide effective control of bean leaf beetles.

Experts are available to help you make your early soybean pest control decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

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Endnotes

Ohnesorg, Wayne, and Thomas Hunt. Soybean Aphid Scouting and Management. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, CropWatch, 2 Aug. 2023, https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2023/soybean-aphid-scouting-and-management/
Dominic D. Reisig. “Check Fields for Soybean Aphid.” NC State Extension Soybeans, North Carolina State University Extension, 19 Aug. 2025, https://soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu/2025/08/check-fields-for-soybean-aphid/
Krupke, Christian, and John Obermeyer. “Bean Leaf Beetle Leaf and Pod Feeding: Some High Beetle Numbers and Damage.” Pest & Crop Newsletter, Purdue University Extension, 3 Sept. 2021, https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/newsletters/pestandcrop/article/bean-leaf-beetle-leaf-and-pod-feeding-some-high-beetle-numbers-and-damage/
Koch, Robert, and Bruce Potter. “Bean Leaf Beetles in Soybean: Biology and Early Season Management.” Minnesota Crop News, University of Minnesota Extension, 16 June 2022, blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2022/06/bean-leaf-beetles-in-soybean-biology.html.

Cotton Seedling Diseases: Identification and Proactive Management Tactics

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:32:43 GMT

Investing in high-quality cotton seed and planting under favorable conditions sets the stage for a strong cotton stand. But when cotton seedlings begin to collapse from damping-off shortly after planting, that investment can disappear quickly.

Early season cotton diseases are a common challenge for many cotton growers. Understanding what to look for and how to reduce risk before planting can help protect stand establishment and prevent damping-off before it starts.

Identifying cotton seedling diseases

Several soilborne pathogens can infect cotton seedlings as they emerge and begin early growth. When disease develops, it often appears as damping-off, root rot or stem lesions that weaken or kill young plants.

Early scouting can help you diagnose disease in cotton and determine whether plant stands remain adequate. Identifying the likely pathogen can also provide clues about the conditions that favor cotton disease development and help guide prevention strategies in future seasons.

For example, Rhizoctonia solani, often called sore shin, commonly produces sunken reddish-brown lesions on the plant’s hypocotyl near the soil line. These lesions can girdle the stem and cause cotton seedlings to collapse after emergence.¹

Pythium species frequently cause seed rot before emergence or damping-off shortly after seedlings appear. Infected plants often have soft, water-soaked roots and may appear weak, stunted or chlorotic.²

Fusarium species can cause a cotton blight disease characterized by yellowing, wilting and stunted growth, often accompanied by brown discoloration in roots or vascular tissue.

Another cotton disease, black root rot, caused by Thielaviopsis basicola, produces blackened roots and hypocotyls. Affected plants typically have reduced taproot diameter and poor vigor.³

Environmental risk factors and optimal planting conditions

Environmental conditions at planting can strongly influence the risk of cotton seedling diseases. Soilborne pathogens such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium are more likely to infect cotton seedlings when germination and emergence are slowed by stress. Cold or overly wet soils delay cotton seedling growth and give these pathogens more time to attack young plants. Poor drainage and saturated soils also favor diseases like Pythium, which can cause seed rot and damping-off before or shortly after cotton seedlings emerge.⁴

Planting when soil temperatures are consistently around 65 F or higher can help reduce cotton disease risk. Warm, well-drained soils allow seeds to germinate quickly and support stronger early root growth. Faster emergence helps cotton seedlings outgrow early pathogen pressure. Avoiding soil compaction, reducing crusting after planting and selecting favorable planting windows can also improve stand establishment and reduce disease risk.

Proactive cotton disease control and seed treatments

Preventing cotton diseases needs to start before you plant. Because these pathogens live in the soil, if emergence is delayed by cold or saturated soils, cotton seedlings remain vulnerable to infection for longer periods and disease pressure increases.⁵

Using high-quality seed and planting into warm, well-drained soils reduces early stress and allows seedlings to establish faster, limiting the window when pathogens can infect young plants.⁶

Fungicide seed treatments are another important tool for protecting seedlings during this early growth stage. Many cotton seeds are treated with fungicides that protect against pathogens such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia and other soilborne organisms that cause damping-off and seedling blight. These treatments help protect the seed and emerging roots during the first weeks after planting, when seedlings are most susceptible to infection.

In-season scouting and cultural mitigation of cotton seedling diseases

Scouting early and consistently can help you catch these symptoms and determine whether your stands will get established adequately. Most cotton seedling diseases appear within the first 30 days, when young plants are most vulnerable to soilborne pathogens.⁷

As you scout, look for symptoms such as damping-off, root rot or stem lesions that can weaken seedlings or reduce stand counts.

If you find infected plants, your management options this season may be limited. Once pathogens infect cotton seedlings, fungicide applications after emergence generally provide little benefit.⁸ Instead, focus on evaluating plant populations to determine whether the remaining stand is sufficient or if replanting may be necessary.

Cotton seedling diseases can threaten stand establishment, but many of the most effective management decisions are made before problems arise. By planting into favorable conditions, protecting seed with treatments and scouting fields early, you can reduce disease risk and give your cotton crop the strongest possible start.

Experts are available to help you make your cotton seed treatment decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Cotton Incorporated. “Cotton Seedling Disease Identification.” Cotton Incorporated, National Cotton Council, https://www.cotton.org/tech/pest/seedling/identification.cfm
Cotton Incorporated. “Cotton Seedling Disease Identification.”
Davis, R. M. “Seedling Diseases.” UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cotton, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/cotton/seedling-diseases
Ahumada, Daisy. “Cotton Seedling Diseases.” NC State Extension Publications, North Carolina State University Extension, 29 Sept. 2023, https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/cotton-seedling-diseases
Hu, Jiahuai, and Randy Norton. Symptom Identification and Management of Cotton Seedling Diseases. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Oct. 2020, https://acis.cals.arizona.edu/docs/default-source/agricultural-ipm-documents/cotton/az1856-2020.pdf
Ahumada. “Cotton Seedling Diseases.”
Ahumada. “Cotton Seedling Diseases.”
Davis, R. M. “Seedling Diseases.”

Major Insect Pests of Cotton: Cotton Insecticides and Integrated Management

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:13:56 GMT

Early- and mid-season insects in cotton crops are one of many threats growers face that can significantly impact lint yield and fiber quality.

Applying integrated pest management (IPM) principles helps protect your seed investment while preventing pest-control tools from losing effectiveness. The goal is not simply to eliminate pests, but to optimize the timing of interventions and slow the development of insecticide resistance.

Effective IPM programs begin before you put a single seed in the ground and continue well into the growing season.

Variety selection and cultural control of insects in cotton crops

The foundation of any cotton operation is the seed you plant, and choosing the right variety based on expected pest pressure and local growing conditions can help the season start on the right foot.

Selecting high-quality seed and varieties adapted to local environments helps establish a strong stand and promote early plant vigor. Varieties with appropriate maturity ratings, insect-resistant traits and Bt technology should also be considered so plants can develop under favorable conditions and limit the need for cotton insecticide applications while protecting developing bolls.

Cultural practices also influence pest pressure. Planting dates can affect how quickly seedlings grow and how vulnerable they are to early feeding injury. Managing surrounding weeds is equally important, since these plants can serve as alternate hosts for insects such as thrips and plant bugs that later move into cotton fields.

Finally, maintaining beneficial insects in cotton is an important part of an integrated strategy. Predators such as lady beetles and other natural enemies help suppress pest populations and can reduce reliance on chemical control when managed carefully.

Early pest management: seed treatments and scouting for cotton crop insects

A proactive approach to pest management is better than a reactive spray-and-pray approach. This involves seed treatments and field scouting regularly after emergence.

For example, seed treatments are recommended for thrips management if you are experiencing cooler springs. Thrips can damage seedlings, causing growth stunting, delays in maturity and reductions in yield. However, several regional types have become resistant to neonicotinoids¹, and systemic cotton insecticides can fail due to wet weather leaching out the seed treatment, and a foliar spray may be necessary.²

The alternative to relying solely on seed treatments is a robust scouting program. By monitoring symptoms and pest injury early on, growers can determine the precise moment a supplemental foliar treatment is required.

Economic thresholds and scouting for mid-season insects in cotton

Scouting is critical early in the season, but it is just as important as cotton moves into squaring and boll development. As the crop grows, new insect pests can begin to threaten yield if fields are not monitored regularly.

Cotton fleahoppers, plant bugs such as lygus bugs, and bollworms can begin feeding on plants and bolls during the mid-season. When these pests appear, the temptation may be to apply a broad-spectrum cotton insecticide immediately to protect the crop.

However, applying a cotton insecticide based on a calendar schedule or at the first sign of a pest can sometimes create more problems than it solves.

Economic thresholds can help determine when pest populations are likely to cause yield losses that justify treatment. Applying insecticides only after these thresholds are reached helps ensure treatments are applied under the right conditions while also preserving beneficial insect populations.³

When predators are removed, secondary pests such as aphids or spider mites may flare up and create additional management challenges later in the season.

Mitigating cotton insecticide resistance risk

While economic thresholds can protect your bottom line and beneficial insects, it also protects your future strategies.

Repeated use of the same mode of action can lead to the development of a resistant population. Here are a few solutions to reducing those resistant insect populations:

Use the full rate recommended on the label
Apply cotton insecticides when above the economic threshold
Rotate cotton insecticides with different modes of action
Use Bt cotton varieties and adhere to refuge requirements

Additionally, you can use beneficial insects and biocontrol practices to reduce your reliance on a single control method.

An integrated pest management approach not only improves pest control in the current season but also helps ensure that valuable insect management tools remain effective for years to come.

Experts are available to help you make your pest management decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Reisig, Dominic. “Thrips.” NC State Extension Cotton Portal, North Carolina State University Extension, https://cotton.ces.ncsu.edu/insect-scouting-guide/thrips/
Reisig, Dominic. Managing Insects on Cotton. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University, 29 Jan. 2026, https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/pdf/managing-insects-on-cotton/2025-01-30/12.ging_Insects.pdf
Simon, Logan, and Anthony Zukoff. “Mid-Season Insect Management for Cotton Production.” Agronomy eUpdate, Kansas State University Extension, 11 July 2024, https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/mid-season-insect-management-for-cotton-production-599-5

When to Apply Sulfur Fertilizer for Sulfur Deficiency in Corn and Soybeans

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:26:44 GMT

Sulfur fertilizer is an increasingly important part of crop nutrition for corn and soybean growers. Among its other benefits, sulfur helps plants fully utilize nitrogen and produces amino acids that make up proteins in soybeans.¹

In some corn fields with sulfur deficiency, the use of sulfur fertilizer has contributed to an average yield bump of 11 bushels per acre.² Experts recommend prioritizing sulfur fertilizer for corn specifically because it delivers a greater production benefit in corn than in soybeans. However, soybeans might enjoy a small benefit by scavenging sulfur and other unused nutrients as part of a corn-soy rotation.³

Sulfur needs vary widely by field and soil type, and sulfur and nitrogen deficiency can appear similar on the surface. Here’s how to determine which fields might benefit from sulfur, how to distinguish between sulfur and nitrogen deficiency, and what you need to know if a sulfur rescue application is needed.

Conditions that increase likelihood of sulfur deficiency

Corn requires between 0.05 pounds and 0.10 pounds of sulfur from the soil for each bushel of grain produced.⁴ Corn sulfur deficiency most often occurs in fields with low organic matter. It also occurs in fields with coarse and sandy textures.

Watch for possible sulfur deficiency if you practice no-till or grow continuous corn, or if your soil is cold and excessively wet or dry.

Differentiate between sulfur and nitrogen deficiency

Scouting and tissue sampling can uncover sulfur deficiency, which can appear as pale yellow striping on younger corn leaves.

(R.L. Croissant, Bugwood.org)

To determine whether your crop might be experiencing sulfur deficiency or nitrogen deficiency, scout for these telltale signs.

In corn:

Sulfur deficiency appears early, first on younger and upper leaves, as sulfur has low mobility within the plant. By contrast, nitrogen deficiency appears on older, lower leaves.
Sulfur deficiency results in pale yellow striping of leaves, whereas nitrogen deficiency leaves a yellow “reverse V” mark.

In soybeans:

Sulfur deficiency presents as small and pale-green younger leaves with hard and thin stems, whereas nitrogen deficiency results in yellowing leaves.

Determine when a sulfur fertilizer rescue application is warranted

Before applying sulfur, determine your crop’s needs by conducting visual scouting and tissue testing before V6 corn growth stage. Proper diagnosis is the first step to determining if a rescue application is warranted.

Although soil testing is a poor tool for determining sulfur deficiency, tissue sampling your crop is a reliable way to evaluate sulfur availability. You can also conduct strip trials in corn over several seasons—some rows with sulfur fertilizer applied, others with none—to evaluate whether you see a benefit with your farm’s unique blend of soil, management practices and environmental conditions.

Pay attention to pH. If your soils have low pH, it can make sulfur and other nutrients less available to your crop, stunting root development and exacerbating other deficiency symptoms.

How to time an application for sulfur deficiency in corn

If you and your trusted adviser determine sulfur is needed, you can apply sulfur fertilizer anytime from spring through early crop stages.

There are various ways to apply sulfur fertilizer. You can band it or broadcast it. You can combine it with other fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphate and potash. You can also mix it with a liquid fertilizer, though you should check their compatibility first.

Elemental sulfur fertilizer should be used well before your corn crop needs it. Alternatively, you can use elemental sulfur in combination with sulfate that contains fertilizer.

If you use ammonium thiosulfate as your source of sulfur, don’t place it in the seed furrow because it can damage corn seedlings.

Sulfur fertilizer application recommendations

In cases of corn sulfur deficiency, yield response is typically best with 15 pounds of sulfur per acre on fine-textured soils and 25 pounds per acre on coarse or sandy soils.⁵ The same rates can be applied to soybeans.

If you are using a corn-soybean rotation, apply these rates ahead of corn years because your corn yields will respond more than your soybean yields. Plus, you won’t need to apply more sulfur the next soybean year. If you grow corn on corn, apply sulfur every other year.

Experts are available to help you diagnose and treat sulfur deficiency in corn plants and soybean plants. Reach out to your ag retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a trusted company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Albert, Derek. “Researchers Explore Sulfur, Micronutrient Fertilizer Applications.” Louisiana State University AgCenter, 17 Aug. 2022, https://www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1660765905492 . Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Anderson, Meaghan, and Richard T. Roth. “Who Needs Sulfur? You Might Need Sulfur.” Integrated Crop Management, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 9 Oct. 2024, https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/post/who-needs-sulfur-you-might-need-sulfur . Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
“Is It Worth Applying Sulfur to Your Soybean Crop?” Minnesota Crop News, University of Minnesota Extension, 8 Apr. 2024, https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2024/04/is-it-worth-applying-sulfur-to-your.html . Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Woodmansee, John E. “Should I Plan to Add Sulfur to Crops?” Purdue University Extension, 21 Jan. 2022, https://extension.purdue.edu/news/county/whitley/2022/01/should-i-plan-to-add-sulfur-to-crops.html . Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Sawyer, John. “Crop Sulfur Fertilization This Spring.” Integrated Crop Management, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 25 Mar. 2020, https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2020/03/crop-sulfur-fertilization-spring . Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

Tips for Sidedressing Fertilizer: Maximizing Nitrogen Applications in Corn

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:39:09 GMT

Your corn requires plenty of nitrogen for optimal yield, and split applied, sidedressed fertilizer might be a good fit. Before application, it’s important to perform soil testing to figure out when to sidedress corn with nitrogen.

You’ll also want to monitor crop growth to ensure nitrogen is available when your corn plants need it most.

Here’s what you need to know before sidedressing corn.

Timing of side dressing fertilizer for corn

First, you’ll want to get a clear understanding of your soil types and environmental conditions in any fields you plan to treat. A good rule of thumb is to apply 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre before planting to kickstart your crop, assuming you also sidedress at or before the V8 or V9 growth stage.¹ Nitrogen applications after V10 have demonstrated no yield benefit, and in fact some crops yield lower than normal with late applications.

Application methods for side dressing corn

Sidedressing corn can be done in several ways. Some of the most common approaches include:

Soil injection
Surface dribbling of UAN
Broadcasting of granular urea
Fertigation via center-pivot irrigation

Avoid applying fertilizer directly to corn leaves, which can cause burning or stunting. This is especially important if you choose to broadcast UAN. Application rates above 60 pounds per acre can cause damage to plants beyond the V3 stage, and applications in hot and dry conditions can exacerbate injury.²

Soil testing to determine your side dress fertilizer needs

To ensure your sidedressing fertilizer is effective, it’s important to take soil samples to evaluate nitrogen availability and leaching. The goal is to fit sidedress nitrogen into your overall nutrient management program.

Nitrogen comes in various forms and can be lost in different ways, making it tricky to analyze. The most accurate reading of nitrate concentration in your soil comes from the Pre-sidedress Soil Nitrate Test (PSNT). This type of pre-sidedress nitrogen test can help you assess nitrogen supply from organic sources including manure, and it can help gauge available nitrogen in the soil that your crop can use as it is growing.

Aim to take soil samples at least one week before you sidedress, and collect cores to a depth of 1 foot each.³ Try to do so after the wettest part of spring and before your crop’s nitrogen demand ramps up. This way, you can estimate sidedress needs to balance the cost of application with the expected increase in productivity and profit.

Optimal field conditions and environmental considerations for side dressing corn

If excess moisture or specific soil types are factors influencing the management of your corn crop, you might be especially well-positioned for split application of nitrogen.

Sidedressing corn makes good sense if you’re operating in a wet spring. It also can be a fit in areas of your fields where ponding occurs. If you have sandy or fine-textured soils (especially those with lots of organic matter) or you’re planting into undrained soils, you might also be a good candidate for split application between V7 and V9.⁴

Split application nitrogen cost estimates

Timely sidedress nitrogen guided by soil testing and applied before the V8–V9 growth stage helps ensure corn has the nutrients it needs to support optimal yield potential.

(lamyai)

Typically, split application will cost more than applying most of your nitrogen pre-plant. That’s because prices for the input rise with peak demand during spring planting. For example, one multi-year analysis found nitrogen costs at $67 per acre for farmers who used mostly pre-plant applications compared to $76 for farmers who applied half of nitrogen pre-plant and half sidedress. ⁵
And you’ll end up making twice as many passes across your fields, doubling application costs.⁶

Experts are available to help you make your decisions about sidedressing fertilizer. Reach out to your local ag retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a trusted professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Carlson, Brad. “Split-applying Nitrogen for Corn: Three Keys for Successful Sidedress Applications.” Minnesota Crop News, University of Minnesota Extension, 7 Mar. 2023, https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2023/03/split-applying-nitrogen-for-corn-three.html . Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Sawyer, John. “Nitrogen Fertilization Options with Delayed or Rescue Applications.” Integrated Crop Management, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 17 June 2019, https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2019/06/nitrogen-fertilization-options-delayed-or-rescue-applications . Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
“Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test for Corn.” Penn State Extension, https://extension.psu.edu/pre-sidedress-soil-nitrate-test-for-corn . Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Fernandez, Fabian, and Brad Carlson. “Things to Consider When Sidedressing Nitrogen.” Minnesota Crop News, University of Minnesota Extension, 1 Jan. 2024, https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2020/06/things-to-consider-when-sidedressing.html . Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Sellars, Sarah, et al. “Cost and Returns from Different Nitrogen Application Timing in Illinois.” farmdoc daily, vol. 9, no. 213, 12 Nov. 2019, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois; Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2019/11/cost-and-returns-from-different-nitrogen-application-timing-in-illinois.html . Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Stahl, Liz. “Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops Highlighted Nitrogen Management and Economics.” Minnesota Crop News, University of Minnesota Extension, 13 Jan. 2025, https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2025/01/strategic-farming-lets-talk-crops.html . Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.

The Best Time to Apply Fungicide for Gray Leaf Spot on Corn

Wed, 07 May 2025 18:19:53 GMT

Gray leaf spot is a widespread fungal disease in corn, responsible for a 23-million-bushel yield loss in the U.S. in 2024.¹ Controlling gray leaf spot requires more than just deciding if you should spray; it’s about timing the investment for maximum disease suppression and yield protection.

3 factors influencing fungicide applications for gray leaf spot

For any disease to develop, three key factors must be present: an optimal environment, a susceptible host, and a disease inoculum. That being said, a fungicide application for gray leaf spot may not be necessary every year if every one of these factors isn’t present.

Several things should be carefully considered before committing to a gray leaf spot treatment. These include:

Environmental conditions

Humidity and moisture

Gray leaf spot thrives in moist conditions. Infections require humidity above 90% for 12-13 continuous hours, after which the fungus produces spores that spread to upper leaves.² Infections are most severe when leaves stay wet for 11-13 hours, whether from rainfall or other causes, such as dew, fog, or irrigation (especially overhead irrigation in heavy canopies).³,⁴

Temperature

Optimal infection conditions occur when nighttime temperatures stay between 70-85 F and bottom leaves remain wet. If these conditions persist from pre-tasseling to silking, gray leaf spot will develop aggressively.⁵

Field history and management

Delayed planting

Gray leaf spot lives on corn residue on the soil surface. In no-till and corn-on-corn fields, inoculum can accumulate, and late planting increases the likelihood of infection at an earlier growth stage under more favorable conditions.

Field condition

Fields with past outbreaks are at higher risk, especially in river bottoms or weedy areas with cool, moist air under the canopy. Many corn hybrids offer partial resistance, but even resistant hybrids may require treatment under high disease pressure. No-till fields with susceptible hybrids and no crop rotation carry the greatest risk. Rotating corn with another crop breaks the gray leaf spot life cycle. A three-year rotation reduces disease pressure more than a two-year rotation.⁶

Gray leaf spot prevalence and severity

Scout early and consider gray leaf spot treatment at the first sign of disease. Symptoms include yellow or tan lesions with a lighter halo that eventually elongate into rectangular gray lesions running parallel to the leaf vein.⁷ Fields with higher severity are at continued higher risk, and disease severity plays an important role in the yield response to fungicide applications.

Managing gray leaf spot is all about timing and catching any symptoms early.

(Daren Mueller, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org)

Narrowing the application window for gray leaf spot treatment

If your fields meet any of these gray leaf spot risk factors, start scouting before V10, checking the lower three leaves from just before tasseling to two weeks after. If 50% of plants show gray leaf spot lesions at or above the third leaf below the ear, you should spray.⁸ Gray leaf spot infections usually start between mid-June and mid-July. By late July, the disease spreads from the lower leaves to the ear leaf, reducing grain fill. The best time to spray fungicide for gray leaf spot is between VT (tasseling) and R2,⁹ as this will protect the ear leaf and upper canopy when photosynthesis is needed for optimal yields. Gray leaf spot treatments made between V4 and V10 will be less effective by the time gray leaf spot reaches damaging levels on corn.¹⁰ If you spray after R2, the treatment will provide minimal protection.¹¹

Veltyma ® and Headline AMP ® are very effective on gray leaf spot when applied at this timing.

Applying fungicide for gray leaf spot at the right time is critical for managing the initial infection and protecting yield potential. The VT-R2 window ensures the best balance of disease suppression and residual efficacy, preventing significant loss of photosynthetic area during grain fill.

Experts are available to help you navigate field management and fungicides for gray leaf spot. Contact your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Crop Protection Network. Corn Disease Loss Estimates from the United States and Ontario, Canada – 2024. Crop Protection Network, 2024, https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/corn-disease-loss-estimates-from-the-united-states-and-ontario-canada-2024.
Tibbs, Reagen. “What’s Lurking in the Leaves This July? Corn Diseases to Scout for in Illinois.” Farm Focus, 17 July 2025, University of Illinois Extension, extension.illinois.edu/blogs/farm-focus/2025-07-17-whats-lurking-leaves-july-corn-diseases-scout-illinois.
Jardine, Douglas J. Gray Leaf Spot of Corn. MF2341, Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, June 1998, revised March 2019, plantpath.k-state.edu/extension/field-crops/documents/corn/grey-leaf-spot-corn-mf2341.pdf.
Rees, Jennifer M., and Tamra A. Jackson. Gray Leaf Spot of Corn. G1902, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Dec. 2008, extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1902/2008/pdf/view/g1902-2008.pdf.
Jardine. Gray Leaf Spot of Corn.
Salgado, Jorge David, John Schoenhals, and Pierce A. Paul. Gray Leaf Spot of Corn. PLPATH-CER-05, The Ohio State University Extension, 8 Apr. 2016, ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-cer-05.
Gray Leaf Spot of Corn. Published 19 Mar. 2019, Crop Protection Network, cropprotectionnetwork.org/encyclopedia/gray-leaf-spot-of-corn.
Ahumada, Daisy. Gray Leaf Spot in Corn. North Carolina Cooperative Extension, 30 Sept. 2020, Revised 28 Sept. 2023, content.ces.ncsu.edu/gray-leaf-spot-in-corn.
Paul, Pierce. “Foliar Fungicide Use in Corn.” Agronomic Crops Network, Ohio State University Extension, 2018, https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2018-20/foliar-fungicide-use-corn.
Robertson, Alison, and Rebecca Vittetoe. Before You Pull The Trigger: 2025 Fungicide Smarts for Corn. Integrated Crop Management Blog, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 1 July 2025, crops.extension.iastate.edu/post/you-pull-trigger-2025-fungicide-smarts-corn.
Jardine, Doug. “Fungicide Management of Gray Leaf Spot: Don’t Miss Treatment Window.” Agronomy eUpdate, no. 755, Kansas State University Department of Agronomy, 28 June 2019, https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/fungicide-management-of-gray-leaf-spot-don-t-miss-treatment-window-343

Best Practices for Maximizing Yield in Late-Planted Soybeans

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:25:36 GMT

There are probably many reasons why you’re late with your soybean planting. Wet springs, broken down equipment or illness can all keep you from planting at the optimal time. Or maybe you’re in an area where you’re trying to double crop, and late-planting soybeans is your only option.

Regardless of the reason, there’s still an opportunity for a successful soybean growing season even if your soybean planting window is less than ideal.

While the question “how late can you plant soybeans?” may be top of mind, the real question to ask is how much yield you can protect. If you plant outside the optimal window, you’ll typically give up half a bushel of yield for every day that passes between the closing of that window and getting your seeds into the ground. That means that if you let a weekend go by after that window closes, you could potentially be losing 1.5 bushels an acre.¹

Fortunately, if you make some adjustments outside the standard practices, you can make the most out of a rough situation.

Row spacing and seed rate for soybean planting

Because late-planted soybeans have a shorter window to grow, they produce significantly fewer nodes, dropping from an average of 19–25 nodes when planted earlier in the season to just 13–16 nodes a month later.² This can significantly impact soybean yield per plant.

To compensate for that loss, increasing the seed rate by 10% can result in a target population between 150,000 and 175,000 plants per acre, depending on your seed type.³

Additionally, to close your canopy faster, consider narrower spacing. Shifting from 30” spacing to 7.5” or 15” rows can also increase season-long light interception, suppress weeds more effectively, and potentially improve biomass and, subsequently, final yield.⁴

Planting soybeans late isn’t the end of the world. It means a different way of management.

(Oticki)

Planting in ideal conditions

When you’re late-planting soybeans, you may tend to plant even when soil conditions are poor. Late planting usually means you are planting into warmer soils, but if you do plant into cool or wet soil, this will lead to lower germination rates and increase the risk of fungal diseases. Cutting through wet, heavy soils can also cause smearing along the sidewall, compacting the soil and making it difficult for roots to penetrate. Planting at a depth of 1.5” inches when the soil is 60-70 F is ideal.⁵

Shorter seed maturity

Soybeans are photoperiod-sensitive, meaning they flower in response to day length. This works in your favor, as late-planted beans will require fewer days to reach maturity than beans planted earlier. Because of this, research suggests you can typically stick with your adapted, full-season varieties through mid-June with little effect on necessary soybean maturity days.

However, if soybean planting pushes past June 15, switching to a variety with a 0.5 to 1.0 shorter Maturity Group (MG) can protect your yield. This ensures the crop reaches physiological maturity before the first killing frost of autumn. While shorter-maturity seeds may have a slightly lower yield ceiling, they protect you from the catastrophic risk of a freeze hitting the plants before they are mature.⁶

While a late start isn’t an automatic loss for your growing season, it will require some consideration and planning for better yields. It’s best to stay patient when conditions are right, but then move fast once that window opens.

Experts are available to help you understand when to plant soybeans and make the most of your late-season soybeans. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Plumblee, Michael. “Double Crop Soybeans: When Is Too Late?” SC Crops, Clemson University Cooperative Extension, 8 Aug. 2025, blogs.clemson.edu/sccrops/double-crop-soybeans-when-is-too-late/.
Sullivan, Tina, and Logan Simon. “Considerations for Replanting or Late-Planting of Soybeans.” Agronomy eUpdate, no. 1057, Kansas State University Department of Agronomy, 12 June 2025, eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/considerations-for-replanting-or-late-planting-of-soybeans-646-2.
Lindsey, Laura, and Eric Richer. “Double Crop Soybean (or Late-Planted Soybean) Considerations for 2025.” C.O.R.N. Newsletter, no. 2025-19, Ohio State University Extension, 2025, agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2025-19/double-crop-soybean-or-late-planted-soybean-considerations-2025.
Sullivan and Simon. “Considerations for Replanting or Late-Planting of Soybeans.”
Naeve, Seth L., and Dave Nicolai. “Delayed Soybean Planting.” University of Minnesota Extension, 2018, extension.umn.edu/soybean-planting/delayed-soybean-planting.
Nygren, Aaron, Jim Specht, and Jenny Brhel. “Strategies with Delayed Soybean Planting.” CropWatch, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 24 May 2024, cropwatch.unl.edu/2019/strategies-delayed-soybean-planting/.

Seedcorn Maggot Control: Identification and Management

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:57:21 GMT

The seedcorn maggot is the larval form of a tiny fly. Though the adult fly is not much of a threat, the maggot punches well above its weight, causing considerable damage to newly planted corn and emerging seedlings. In 2024, seedcorn maggot caused estimated yield losses of 858,000 bushels in corn and 138,000 bushels in soybeans across the U.S.¹,²

What does seedcorn maggot look like?

Larval stage: small, off-white or yellow-white, legless, tapered body about 6 mm long
Maggot pupa: smaller than the maggot, brown to dark brown and capsule-shaped
Adult fly: around 5 mm long, brown-gray, with gray stripes on the male’s thorax

Seedcorn maggot life cycle

The seedcorn maggot overwinters in the soil as a pupa. It emerges as an adult once sufficient growing degree days (GDD) have accumulated, typically around May in much of the Midwest. Multiple generations of seedcorn maggot can pop up throughout your growing season, but first generation seedcorn maggot typically have the largest impact, since their emergence typically occurs from April to June, just in time to munch on seeds and new seedlings.

How does seedcorn maggot damage crops?

The maggots burrow into corn seeds and emerging cotyledons to feed, often ruining seeds, preventing germination and emergence, and causing poor stand establishment. They sometimes feed on seedling stems, leading to weak or stunted young corn plants at risk for premature death. Cool and damp conditions slow germination and give the maggots more time to feed.

How to identify seedcorn maggot

About a week after corn emergence, scout fields for stand loss. Where stand loss is evident, dig around a bit under the row skips to look for maggots and pupae and their tell-tale signs:

Seeds that are broken open, hollowed out or otherwise damaged
Underdeveloped seedlings

How to prevent seedcorn maggot infestation

If seedcorn maggots are into your seeds, there is no rescue treatment. Proactive management is critical.

Before planting

Adult female seedcorn maggots prefer to lay eggs in recently turned cover crops or freshly manured fields, so allowing two weeks between tilling or manure application and planting can buy you time by providing more GDD for seedcorn maggots to develop and, with luck, be out of the larval stage and into the pupal stage before your seeds are in the ground. This prime period for planting to avoid seedcorn maggot is sometimes called the pupation or “fly-free” period.

When should you plant?

Arriving at that “fly-free” period for your locale involves keying off the seedcorn maggot’s growing degree days (GDD) numbers in your area. For more detail about your local growing degree days (for seedcorn maggot and other pests), visit Iowa State University’s Pest Map & Forecasting app, which can provide a GDD figure for each year’s “fly-free” period in your location and help guide planting.

Treatments and prevention at planting time for seedcorn maggot control

Since rescue treatment won’t help with an existing seedcorn maggot infestation, steps to prevent the pest must be taken at planting time, whether through seed treatments, in-furrow insecticides or a combination.

Poncho®Votivo® seed treatment for corn seed and Poncho® Votivo® Precise for soybean seed helps plants get off to a great start in that critical, early-season growing period when plants are most vulnerable. It provides broad spectrum early-season insect control on key corn pests, including seedcorn maggot, by creating a living barrier that grows with the roots, also protecting against other key pests like nematodes.

Experts are available to help you make your decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent, or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

“Corn Invertebrate Loss Estimates from the United States - 2024.” Crop Protection Network, 17 Feb. 2025, cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/corn-invertebrate-loss-estimates-from-the-united-states-and-ontario-canada-2024. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
“Soybean Invertebrate Loss Estimates from the United States - 2024.” Crop Protection Network, 3 Sept. 2025, cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/soybean-invertebrate-loss-estimates-from-the-united-states-2024. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.

Turnrow Talk: Sunrise Cooperative in Ohio

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:42:59 GMT

At Sunrise Cooperative, the main goal is to ensure its member-owners are successful and profitable. Every decision made is based on the customers’ needs.

“We’re here to help the grower day in and day out. That really separates us from all other competitors,” said Jeff Goodbar, vice president of company culture at Sunrise Cooperative. “All of our divisions work together. Every agronomy solution adviser, every energy solution adviser, every grain solution adviser that we have — all focus on making sure the grower is successful.”

Concentrated in central Ohio, Sunrise Cooperative has key locations from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. Goodbar grew up on a small farm near the South Charleston location before attending Ohio State University, initially to be an engineer.

Jeff Goodbar, vice president of company culture at Sunrise Cooperative, keeps the cooperative’s team focused on grower success by planning ahead for each season.

(Corteva Agriscience)

“At that time, no one encouraged anybody to come back into agriculture,” Goodbar said. “But I changed my direction my junior year because I just had a passion for agriculture. When you’re in the community, when it’s in your blood, it’s just something you’re passionate about.”

The team at Sunrise Cooperative lives by the rule that it isn’t successful unless the member-owners are successful. The team strives for long-term success because, as Goodbar said, farming is an infinite game that is carried through generations.

“It goes well past me; it goes well past our customers now. So true success for us is making sure that it is long-term success for the grower,” Goodbar said. “It’s not just about inputs, but how do they market their grain? What risk management tools do we have that can help? It’s about playing the long game.”

Margins and Mother Nature
Goodbar noted two concerns for the cooperative’s member-owners are tight margins and Mother Nature.

“Profitability is going to be challenging. I think that most of our farmers would say that’s their biggest concern going into this year,” Goodbar said. “Mother Nature can always throw a wrench into things. What does spring look like? That’s probably second on their mind.”

Much happens before it happens
The team at Sunrise Cooperative helps growers plan ahead by looking at what weed issues growers may have. Making early applications of residuals targeted to the weed spectrum is important, and then layering residuals in postemergence applications strengthens a grower’s weed control program. Goodbar noted it’s best also to have a marketing plan in place and to be proactive. That forward-looking principle is showcased in one of the cooperative’s 24 anchor statements: Much happens before it happens.

“Spring will come. It always comes. But we needed to make sure that much happened before then, and so we planned,” Goodbar said. “That started at prepay when we determined what the grower’s crop nutrient and chemical needs might be. All that planning was done probably at the end of December, beginning of January.”

Goodbar explained the cooperative’s team and the growers map out how they plan to go from field to field if everything goes ideally for them. They know they may have to pivot due to weather and other circumstances, but the initial plan has been made so when it’s time to be in the field, they can be as efficient as possible to get across every acre in a timely manner.

“Our customers are why we exist,” Goodbar said. “We offer team-based solutions across multiple divisions, including agronomy, grain and energy. Our divisions work together as a team with each grower. Because we work so well together, we can listen better to our customers, answering more of their needs.”

Sunrise Cooperative also has a nationally recognized precision ag department. In addition to its own crop protection offerings through progressive crop technology or PCT | Sunrise, the cooperative has a long-standing relationship with Corteva Agriscience that helps Sunrise Cooperative prepare for what its member-owners may need throughout the season. With crop protection solutions, including Resicore^® REV and Enlist One^® herbicides, Corteva provides weed control options customers need to control tough broadleaf and grass weeds. Goodbar said the cooperative also uses N-Serve^® nitrogen stabilizer with many of its anhydrous applications.

“We know that this is a people business, and we want to make sure we have good people on our staff to take care of our customers,” Goodbar said. “We’ve always felt like Corteva has really good people to help take care of us, which in turn takes care of our growers.”

To hear more of the story about Sunrise Cooperative and Corteva Agriscience, visit Corteva.us/TurnrowTalk .

LEGALS:
^{™ ®}Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Enlist One® and Enlist Duo® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist One herbicide is the only 2,4-D product authorized for use in Enlist crops. Enlist One is not registered in all states or counties. Resicore^® REV is not registered for sale or use in all states. Resicore REV is not available for sale, distribution or use in Nassau and Suffolk counties in the state of New York. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Do not fall-apply anhydrous ammonia south of Highway 16 in the state of Illinois. Always read and follow label directions. ©2026 Corteva. 035976 BR (04/26) CAAG26CPRO01285

Maximize Fertilizer Investment With Proper Weed Management

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:19:01 GMT

Input costs are always a concern, especially when planning for the upcoming growing season. While recent tariff exemptions offer some price relief, there’s still plenty of sticker shock, especially relative to crop prices.

Because growers don’t want to see their fertilizer investments go to waste, it’s important to protect the input cost. By removing early-season weed competition, growers can maximize fertilizer inputs — helping their crops, not weeds, take up essential nutrients.

Feed the Crop, Not the Weeds
Growers may be tempted to reduce spending on inputs, like herbicides, to offset the cost of fertilizer. However, a strong weed management program is essential to reach yield goals.

Consider the amount of fertilizer that weeds steal from your corn and the impact that it has on your crop. A Syngenta study across 20 locations found that weeds as small as 2 to 4 inches consumed 13.4 pounds of nitrogen, 0.85 pounds of phosphorus and 16.8 lbs. of potassium¹. In 2025, this equates to roughly $15.15 per acre in lost fertilizer nutrients alone. The current impact is even greater with increased fertilizer prices.

That’s a costly situation since it takes:

1.85 pounds of phosphate to replace the .85 pounds of phosphorus
28 pounds of muriate of potash to replace the 16.8 pounds of potassium
29.13 pounds of urea to replace the 13.5 pounds of nitrogen

“If that’s not enough, those weeds can rob 2% of your yield,” says Kevin Gesse, head of herbicide product marketing at Syngenta. “That’s 4.34 bu/A, based on an average Illinois corn yield of 217 bu/A².”

Gesse recommends that growers leverage investment in variable expenses — like fertilizer, crop protection and seed — to increase yield potential. “While fertilizer prices have increased 2.4% on average each year for the last seven years, the cost of crop protection products has remained stable,” he says.

Know Your Soil Before Investing
In addition to using a quality preemergence herbicide, knowing when and where to place fertilizer helps unlock the full potential of the investment. It’s also important to know which nutrients already exist in the soil and in what quantities before making decisions on fertilizer investment.

A soil test indicates nutrient levels, including those of potassium and phosphorus, which helps growers avoid overspending on fertilizer. That knowledge helps inform growers on how to best spend their hard-earned dollars on a high-performance herbicide program that will help ensure the crops benefit from these valuable nutrients.

How to Discover More Profit Potential
When tackling tough weeds, implementing a full-season approach is important. Starting with a high performance residual preemergence herbicide containing multiple sites of action and following up with a post-emergence herbicide with overlapping residual control helps ensure weeds don’t get established and rob nutrients from the crop.

Gesse reiterates the importance of using multiple active ingredients (AI) in an herbicide program. “ Acuron^®corn herbicide contains four AIs — including bicyclopyrone — for broad-spectrum weed control,” he says. “Growers can protect their fertilizer investment by controlling weeds before they emerge with this herbicide either used pre-emergence at a full rate or in a split-shot application with a portion of the rate applied pre-emergence followed by the remainder of the rate post-emergence.”

Storen^® corn herbicide is another tool that helps maximize residual control and minimize fertilizer loss. It uses four active ingredients – including bicyclopyrone – to provide consistently clean rows up to three weeks longer than other leading corn residual herbicide products.

If growers can’t control weeds before emergence, Gesse suggests eliminating weeds before they reach 1 to 2 inches to minimize damage. However, by that point, the weeds are already cutting into a grower’s fertilizer investments and stealing vital nutrients. It’s also important to check labels for application directions and best practices for herbicide-resistance management.

_{1 Weed Nutrient Uptake Source: Approximately 20 Syngenta Learning Center Research locations between 2006-2008. Nutrients measured from samples taken from weeds 1”-2” and 2”-4” in height. Analysis completed by Midwest Labs, Omaha, NE. Period from weed emergence to removal at 1”-2” in height was 10 days and 2”-4” in height was 20 days. Cost of Weed Uptake Source: https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/fertilizer-prices-rise-moderately-2021. Calculations used 28% UAN as the nitrogen source, DAP-(18-46-0) as the phosphorus source and muriate of potash-(0-0-60) as the potash source.}
_{2 Data Source: USDA NASS 2024 IL yield estimates}

_{© 2026 Syngenta}_{Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration.}_{Acuron is a Restricted Use Pesticide.}_{Acuron®, Storen® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective third-party owners.}

Early Signs of Tar Spot in Corn: Scout Based on Temperature and Humidity

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Tar spot can be devastating for corn growers, reducing yields up to 50 bushels per acre or more under worst-case scenarios.¹ To combat this disease, it’s important to understand the environmental conditions that help it spread, the signs of tar spot in corn and the best practices for using fungicides for tar spot in corn.

Top environmental factors that help the spread of tar spot in corn

Two main elements set the stage for tar spot in corn, though there are also a few other risk factors.

Temperature

Mild temperatures over an extended period are the top driver of tar spot spread. It thrives when daily highs hover between 64 F and 73 F for 30 days or more.

Humidity

Moisture in the air ranks second as an environmental spur for tar spot development. When relative humidity stays in the 75% to 90% range for two to three weeks, spread is most common because moisture helps spores germinate.²

Related risk factors

Beyond temperature and humidity, several other factors can create favorable conditions for tar spot in corn. These include:

Leaf wetness that lasts more than seven hours
Ten or more foggy days per month
6” or more of monthly precipitation³

Good record-keeping and regular scouting can help you monitor for early signs of tar spot in corn. Bring a phone or camera to capture pictures of tar spot in corn or of plants you’re unsure about. A trusted adviser can help you properly diagnose your crop and treat it with the help of these visual cues.

Tools, tips and tricks for confirming tar spot in corn

To avoid the spread of tar spot in corn, it’s best to combine technology and in-person monitoring.

Tools to understand ideal conditions for tar spot in corn

The free online Crop Disease Forecasting web tool has been validated as 90.1% accurate for predicting times of year when your corn crop is at greatest risk of tar spot.⁴

You can also take a step back and evaluate current and past county-level risk in your local area using the Tar Spot Distribution map .

Tips and tricks to identify tar spot

When you head out to do early scouting for tar spot, start with any fields in a corn-on-corn rotation. Those are most likely to face early tar spot. Tar spot inoculum in the field from the previous year, i.e. tar spot in the field last year in a corn on corn rotation, can mean early infection for this year’s crop. Tar spot can also spread from neighboring fields during the season, but infection levels and severity tend to be less than in corn on corn rotations.

Look at the bottom section of your corn plants. Tar spot can live on corn residue over the winter. It often travels from ground level up into the canopy, though it can also be transported via wind and farm equipment.

If you’re unsure whether a black blotch is tar spot, another corn disease or insect residue, try a simple test: Use a wet cloth to clean off the leaf. If the spot stays in place, it’s likely tar spot. Everything else on the leaf will rub off.⁵
Tar spot has a matte texture and often sports a brown color around the margins. The lesions are raised and typically 1/16” to 3/4" in diameter.⁶

Tar spot thrives in mild, humid stretches, so it’s important to scout lower leaves to time R2–R3 fungicide to protect ROI.

(Darcy Telenko, Purdue University, Bugwood.org)

How to time your use of fungicides for tar spot in corn

If fungicides are needed to treat for tar spot in corn, follow these guidelines:

Normally applying one fungicide pass will give the best economic ROI. In cases of early season infection, two passes may be required.
Use fungicides between R2 and R3 corn growth stages, in cases of early infection, a first application at or prior to VT may be justified.
Consider fungicide products such as BASF’s Veltyma® for tar spot
Review these additional BASF resources on getting ahead of emerging corn disease and on early fungicide application in corn with Veltyma®

Experts are available to help you make your corn fungicide decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Telenko, Darcy, et al. Tar Spot of Corn. Crop Protection Network, 16 Mar. 2021, cropprotectionnetwork.org/web-books/tar-spot-of-corn?section=tar-spot-yield-losses . Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Webster, Richard W., et al. Tar Spot Prediction in Corn: The Weather Matters. Crop Protection Network, 18 Dec. 2023, cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/tar-spot-prediction-in-corn-the-weather-matters . Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Mues, Talon, et al. “Early Tar Spot Detected in Nebraska Corn; Irrigation Shown to Elevate Disease Risk.” CropWatch, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 20 June 2025, cropwatch.unl.edu/early-tar-spot-detected-nebraska-corn-irrigation-shown-elevate-disease-risk/ . Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Webster, Richard W., et al. Tar Spot Prediction in Corn: The Weather Matters.
Drake, Madeline. “Tar Spot Confirmed in Kansas Cornfields for 2025, K-State Pathologist Urges Early Scouting.” K-State Research and Extension News Service, Kansas State University, 30 June 2025, extension.k-state.edu/news-and-publications/news/stories/2025/06/agriculture-tar-spot.html . Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Chilvers, Martin. “Managing Tar Spot in Corn.” MSU Extension, Michigan State University, 7 Aug. 2025, www.canr.msu.edu/news/managing-tar-spot-in-corn . Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

Conservation and Market Opportunity: Connecting For On-Farm Success

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:35:03 GMT

For the Krueger family, stewarding their Indiana land is a matter of legacy.

In 1994, Walter Krueger was named 1994 Master Farm Conservationist of the Year and said this in his acceptance speech: “God has made a good Earth, and it’s my responsibility to help protect what God has given us.”

Three generations later, Walter’s great-grandson Aaron continues that legacy. After graduating from Purdue University, Krueger returned to the family farm tired of seeing muddy rainwater and soil erosion. He knew the key to success was investment in his farm’s soil health.

Connecting Legacy to Stewardship

He began by implementing cover crops throughout his operation, which he called a learning curve.

After a lot of trial and error, he believes that he has finally landed on a cover crop mixture that optimizes his potential for success in his cash crops, which include corn, soybeans and cereal rye.

“Wheat is a good starter program for a cover crop, but it likes to put on roots when it flowers, which is problematic,” Krueger says. “My advice is to look beyond just wheat into rye and a mixture.”

Like most growers, Krueger says he experiments with his cover crop mix, but mostly chooses to stay with a grass, legume and brassica trident. His preferred mix ahead of corn includes four total legumes because they are easy to plant into, making it easy to plant into green, which is important for continuous soil cover.

Peas as his main legume, Krueger says, works well because peas produce a lot of biomass that is easily degradable.

Connecting Cover Crops to the Bottom Line

While cover crops are an investment, they also provide ways to save on other farm inputs and management needs. For Krueger, keeping his cover crop going throughout the season provides many benefits, including maintaining soil temperature and reducing inputs. 

“Since we’ve started using more peas and vetch in our cover crop mix, we’ve been weaning our nitrogen use back,” he says. “And we aren’t using as many herbicides and fungicides because keeping your soil covered helps to suppress disease.” 

Connecting Farm Data to Market Opportunity

Krueger knows that cover crops are paying off because he regularly does soil tests that yield him valuable data. The data from those tests are critical to him making better operational decisions on his farm, but it also can unlock additional market opportunity.

In addition to soil health data, farmers across the U.S. are using precision data to monetize premiums. Through Farm Journal’s Connected Ag Project, farmers like Aaron are connected with the financial and technical assistance needed to make their data work as hard as they do.

“Farmers in all sectors can use data to enhance their operations – consider dairy farmers using wearable cow sensors or automated manure management,” says Andrew Lyon, director of technical assistance at Farm Journal. “This information not only allows farmers to steward their land and resources better, but it creates an opportunity for them to work with their buyers to monetize that information into higher premiums through access to Net Zero initiatives through major dairy cooperatives and retailers.”

“Transparency is a currency that the supply chain is willing to monetize,” he adds. “With the Connected Ag Project, farmers can gain access to the practices and record-keeping needed to capture these opportunities.”

The Connected Ag Project links farmers in any sector to these market opportunities by providing financial and technical assistance to implement practices and gather digital data.

Learn more about Farm Journal’s Connected Ag Project and how it can connect your conservation and data to opportunity by visiting https://www.trustinfood.com/connectedagproject/ .

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR233A750004G096

Plan Ahead to Protect Yield Potential

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:24:44 GMT

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” – Alexander Graham Bell

Though coined by the inventor of the telephone, this idea rings especially true in agriculture. Each growing season, success often depends on the planning done long before the planter rolls. One key area where preparation can make a difference is fungicide strategy.

Why Plan for Fungicides?

No season unfolds exactly as planned. Disease, heat, wind, drought and hail all pose real threats to corn and soybean yields. For many farmers, the default response has been to react to these agronomic challenges as they appear. While understandable, this reactive approach can result in inconsistent fungicide performance and uncertain return on investment.

“Fungal diseases in corn and soybeans have a latent period, meaning the disease is already inside the plant before symptoms are visible to the naked eye,” says Kim Tutor, Technical Marketing Manager for Row Crop Fungicides with BASF. “That’s part of the reason why it’s important to be proactive rather than reactive with fungicide programs.”

That’s why preparing crops to withstand disease pressure and environmental stress before it takes hold can make the difference between simply managing challenges and staying ahead of them. A proactive fungicide program with Veltyma^® fungicide helps protect yield potential and support plant health, no matter what the season brings.

2024 BASF-sponsored replicated, large plot trial. Madison County, IA. All fungicides applied at labeled rates at VT growth stage. Average yield for replicates 1, 3 and 4. Replicate 2 removed due to poor drainage and nitrogen loss. Yield advantages are in comparison to the untreated control. Photos taken 68 days after treatment (9/16/2024).

(Photo credit: BASF)

Why Veltyma Fungicide?

Veltyma fungicide brings consistent performance, helping protect your yield and ROI. “Veltyma fungicide provides the consistency corn and soybean growers need year in and year out, regardless of the stress,” says Tutor. “Our Revysol^® active ingredient binds more effectively at fungal sites of action, driving stronger and longer-lasting disease control.”

In corn, Veltyma fungicide reliably provides a +7.0 bushel per acre (bu/A) average yield increase over other fungicides.¹ It helps to protect against challenging diseases like southern rust, tar spot and gray leaf spot. Veltyma fungicide also helps prevent stalk cannibalization to keep corn standing stronger for longer, meaning you won’t be leaving bushels in the field at harvest.

Soybean acres treated with Veltyma fungicide can see up to a +4.0 bu/A average yield increase over untreated acres², with protection against frogeye leaf spot and Cercospora blight. It also reduces ethylene accumulation and decreases canopy temperatures, which help drive more efficient photosynthesis. That means healthy, vigorous soybean plants and higher yield potential at the end of your season.

2024 BASF-sponsored, small plot replicated trial. Warnke Research Service; Ellendale, MN. All treatments applied with NIS 0.25% v/v at R3 soybean growth stage (7/31/2024). Photos taken 50 DAT (9/19/2024). Yield advantage values shown are in comparison to the untreated control.

(Photo credit: BASF)

“Veltyma fungicide outperforms other fungicides eight times out of ten and beats the untreated acre nine times out of ten³,” says Tutor. “If there’s one word that describes its performance, it’s consistency.”

See Real Results Yourself

The Real Results Yield Challenge is the largest nationwide comparison-plot program from BASF, encouraging farmers to put performance-driven fungicides, like Veltyma fungicide, to the test. Thousands of farmers participated in 2025 and saw the impact of performance-driven fungicides firsthand.

This season, get ahead of disease threats in your corn and soybeans. Contact your local retailer or BASF representative to build your proactive plan with Veltyma fungicide , and learn about the 2026 Real Results Yield Challenge .

¹Results based on 2019-2023 RevX Fields On-Farm demonstrations against numerous other corn fungicides. For a full list of head-to-head comparisons visit RevXFields.com Veltyma fungicide applied at 7 fl oz/A. All fungicides applied at labeled rates to VT-R3 corn.  

²2022-2024 BASF-sponsored small-plot, replicated soybean trials. Locations: NE (4), IA (5), IL (4), IN (3), MI (1), MN (4), MO (1), OH (2), SD (1). Application rates were as follows: Delaro^® Complete fungicide 8 fl oz/A, Miravis^® Neo fungicide 13.7 fl oz/A and Veltyma fungicide 7 fl oz/A. All treatments applied with NIS 0.25% v/v at R3 soybean growth stage

³ 2019-2024 RevXFields On-Farm Demonstrations. For more information visit RevXFields.com.

Always read and follow label directions. Revysol and Veltyma are registered trademarks of BASF. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of any such trademark does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by its owner. ©2026 BASF Agricultural Solutions US LLC. All Rights Reserved.

How to Optimize Pigweed Herbicide Use for Season-Long Control

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:53:14 GMT

The idea of “catching up” with weed control later in the season may sound appealing, especially when weather or planting windows compress the timing of management decisions. But with aggressive pigweeds such as Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, delayed action often leads to lost yield and escalating control costs.

These weeds emerge early, grow rapidly and compete aggressively, even at low population densities. A single plant can produce hundreds of thousands of seeds, replenishing the seedbank and compounding pressure year after year. Herbicide-resistant pigweed varieties have only intensified the challenge.¹

Season-long pigweed control requires a proactive strategy begun at planting. A layered pigweed herbicide program designed to prevent early establishment, rather than react to visible escapes, is essential for protecting yield and preserving herbicide performance over time.

Keep pigweed under control this season with a powerful pre-emergence herbicide program.

(Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)

Pre-emergence herbicides are the foundation for pigweed control

Pigweeds are most vulnerable at the seedling stage, but that window closes quickly. That is why pre-emergence herbicides carry so much weight in a season-long program. Effective pigweed control begins at planting.

A pre-emergence herbicide forms a barrier over your soil that stops any emerging weeds as they germinate, before they ever break the soil surface. By suppressing the first flush, a strong pre-emergence program protects yield during the crop’s most vulnerable early growth stages.

This approach also buys you time. When applied correctly, pre-emergence herbicides can keep fields clean for three to four weeks, allowing growers to plan and make a timely post-emergence application. Skipping that first step creates a management gap. Once pigweeds emerge and begin growing rapidly, control becomes more difficult and more expensive.²

Starting clean and staying clean is operationally easier than reactively trying to control emerged pigweed.

Layering pigweed residual herbicide to close the gap

Pigweed emerges in multiple flushes throughout the season, which means one pass rarely provides full-season control. To stay ahead, growers need to layer residual herbicides and avoid leaving bare soil exposed.

The second application can often be as important as the first. While a pre-emergence spray gives you protection from emerging weeds, a follow-up post-emergence application with a long-lasting residual herbicide will help to kill weeds that might have escaped or slipped through.³

A clean soil bed before your post-emergence herbicide overlaps the residuals and ensures new pigweed flushes never see the light of day. When searching for the best residual herbicides for pigweed, consider products such as Zidua® , Surtain® and Outlook® , which can be used to build and reinforce residual control as part of a layered strategy.

By overlapping residuals, growers reduce the risk of late-season escapes, protect yield potential and slow the development of additional resistance.

Optimizing performance: moisture, timing and field conditions

Pigweed control is impacted by the condition of your soil and cultural practices.

Pre-emergence herbicides need to have 0.5 to 1.0 inches of soil moisture within the first week of spraying.⁴

That moisture moves the pigweed herbicide into the soil zone where pigweed seeds germinate. Without activation, control may be delayed or uneven.

Good soil contact and uniform coverage improve performance of your pigweed herbicides. If rainfall is delayed and small weeds begin to emerge, mechanical tools such as a rotary hoe can disrupt seedlings and help maintain a clean field until the herbicide is activated.⁵

Additional cultural practices further strengthen a layered residual program. Narrower row spacing and faster canopy closure suppress late-season pigweed emergence. Crop rotation allows growers to diversify herbicide sites of action. Most importantly, preventing escapes reduces additions to the weed seedbank, lowering pressure for next season.

When these practices are combined with a disciplined, layered residual approach, growers create a system that works together to extend control and protect yield.

Experts are available to help you make informed herbicide decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Benefits of Zidua PRO Powered by Kixor Herbicide.” BASF Agricultural Solutions, 2022, https://agriculture.basf.us/crop-protection/Campaigns/pre-season-playbook/benefits-of-zidua-pro-powered-by-kixor-herbicide.html
Smith, Ken, and Bob Scott. A Guide to Pigweed Management for Soybean/Cotton. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, 2009, https://uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/cotton/guide-pigweed-management-aspb.pdf
Behnken, Lisa, et al. Managing Waterhemp with Layered Residual Herbicides. University of Minnesota Extension, 2021, https://extension.umn.edu/herbicide-resistance-management/managing-waterhemp-layered-residual-herbicides
Everman, Wesley, and Meaghan Anderson. Herbicides and Variable Weather. Iowa State University Integrated Crop Management, 14 May 2025, https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/post/herbicides-and-variable-weather
Johnson, Bill, and Marcelo Zimmer. Soil Applied Herbicides and Rainfall for Activation. Pest&Crop Newsletter, Purdue University Extension, 28 Apr. 2023, https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/newsletters/pestandcrop/article/soil-applied-herbicides-and-rainfall-for-activation-4/

Optimizing Fungicide Applications With Data-Driven Crop Scouting

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:46:37 GMT

Fungicide applications can often feel like a gamble. If you don’t spray, you run the risk of incurring a potentially significant impact on your yield from fungal disease. But if you do spray, and the disease was never there, you’ve wasted thousands of dollars that could’ve been invested somewhere else in your operation.

Weather patterns, hybrid susceptibility and field history all factor into the possibility of fungal disease becoming an economic threat. In unpredictable seasons, calendar-based decisions can leave you either underprotected or overspending.¹

The difference between a gamble and a strategic investment is information. Consistent, proactive scouting for early signs of disease in corn and soybean fields helps you identify signs of disease before they escalate. When combined with environmental data, forecasting tools and crop scouting apps, scouting fields can play a pivotal role in making fungicide timing more precise.

Why calendar-based fungicide programs miss the mark

The most recommended timing for fungicide application is VT to R1 in corn and R1 to R6 in soybeans. These windows are based on average disease development patterns and typical environmental conditions.²,³

However, fungicides generally provide protection for 21 to 28 days.⁴ If infection develops outside that window, protection may not align with the peak period when fungal infections become well established. In dry years, disease risk may never justify an application at all.

Calendar-based programs assume average conditions. But fields rarely operate on average.

Building a smarter crop scouting strategy

To make your early-season scouting as effective as possible, consider shifting from traditional calendar-based methods to a customized, data-driven Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.⁵

Scouting fields doesn’t have to be complicated, but consistent and thorough scouting makes all the difference. Walk fields regularly, especially in areas with:

High residue
Reduced air flow
History of foliar disease
Irrigation or prolonged leaf wetness

Also, make sure to look for early lesions in the lower canopy, subtle changes in leaf color or patterns developing in specific zones. And keep records so you aren’t second-guessing where your disease hot spots are next year.

Using data to guide fungicide timing

Crop scout using digital tools to optimize field scouting efforts.

(DiedovStock)

Alone, regularly scouting fields is powerful. However, when you combine it with weather-based and disease-based forecasting tools, your predictions become more precise.

The Crop Protection Network’s Forecasting Tool provides risk assessments based on real-time weather data. By tracking temperature, humidity and leaf wetness duration, it estimates whether conditions favor disease development in your location. Additionally, The Crop Protection Network provides a library of resource sheets for diseases not yet included in their forecasting tool.

When the risk assessment aligns with what you’re seeing in the field, fungicide applications are more likely to deliver a measurable return on investment.

Instead of spraying based on a growth stage alone, growers can apply fungicides when disease pressure is biologically likely, not just theoretically possible.

Matching products to conditions with crop scouting

Once risk is confirmed through crop and field scouting and environmental data, growers can select the appropriate fungicides, like those within the BASF corn and soybean portfolio , that fit their specific disease spectrum and timing needs. Selecting fungicides with the appropriate modes of action and proven residual performance helps ensure protection aligns with the identified risk window.

You may not be able to predict exactly when fungal diseases will develop, but you can control how you respond. When consistent field scouting is combined with weather-based forecasting tools, fungicide decisions become less reactive and more strategic.

In seasons of sudden variability, better information is often the most valuable input on the farm.

Experts are available to help you make your fungicide decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Sisson, Adam J., et al. “Use of Scouting Information.” Crop Scouting Basics for Corn and Soybean, Crop Protection Network, 2021, cropprotectionnetwork.org/web-books/crop-scouting-basics-for-corn-and-soybean?section=14-use-of-scouting-information.
Onofre, Rodrigo Borba. “Scouting for corn diseases.” Youtube, uploaded by Crop Protection Network, May 12, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g6EOhmByDQ&list=TLGGln-PTerAUhUxNDAyMjAyNg.
Bissonnette, Kaitlyn. “Scouting for soybean diseases.” Youtube, uploaded by Crop Protection Network, May 12, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6ZQoCMAnO8&list=TLGGM_NVB9KTQ_4xNDAyMjAyNg.
Jackson-Ziems, Tamra, and Jenny Brhel. “Corn Disease Update: Fungicide Expectations and Disease Control.” CropWatch, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 15 Aug. 2024, cropwatch.unl.edu/2024/corn-disease-update-fungicide-expectations-disease-control/.
Sisson, Adam J., et al. “Chapter 1: Scouting Corn and Soybean as Part of Integrated Pest Management.” Crop Scouting Basics for Corn and Soybean, Crop Protection Network, 2021, https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/web-books/crop-scouting-basics-for-corn-and-soybean?section=chapter-1-scouting-corn-and-soybean-as-part-of-integrated-pest-management

Cotton Seed Sowing Conditions: How to Navigate Cotton Planting Season

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:08:24 GMT

Cotton planting season is fast approaching, and planting cotton seeds into optimal field conditions can set your crop up for success. Early-season decisions matter. Stand establishment sets the trajectory for the entire crop, and environmental stress can undermine even strong genetic potential.

That is why pairing high-quality seed with favorable planting conditions is critical to protecting yield potential from day one.

Temperature and moisture: The foundation for planting cotton seeds

The first factor you need to consider is temperature. Cotton is sensitive to chilling injury during germination and early growth. To promote uniform and rapid emergence, soil temperatures at the 4-inch depth should reach 65 F or warmer and remain there for at least two to three days after planting.¹

Planting cotton into cooler soils slows metabolic activity inside the seed. Germination is delayed, seedlings emerge unevenly and vulnerability to stress increases. In the Deep South, delaying planting until late April or early May often aligns better with optimal soil temperatures.²

Moisture is equally important. While adequate soil moisture supports germination, cold, wet conditions delay seedling emergence. The longer seeds remain underground, the greater their exposure to soil-borne pathogens that can cause seedling diseases or damping-off.

If you must plant in less-than-ideal conditions, a high cool-germinating seed can often give better results. When looking for superior cotton seeds for planting, consider BASF’s cotton seed portfolio for high vigor and improved trait packages.

How saturation, compaction and oxygen stress impact planting cotton seeds

Your soil conditions go beyond temperature and moisture. Cotton seeds require oxygen during germination. Saturated soils restrict oxygen movement through the soil profile, limiting respiration inside the seed and slowing early growth.

Fields with poor drainage or compaction issues are especially vulnerable. Excess water can lead to seed rot, weak or shallow root systems, delayed emergence and uneven stand establishment.

To reduce risk, avoid planting cotton in fields prone to flooding or ponding, and aim to plant when the soil is moist but not saturated. As with temperature challenges, a superior seed can improve consistency, but it won’t overcome poor soil conditions.

Planting cotton in the right soil conditions sets your seed in the best direction for better results throughout the season.

(Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)

Ideal soil surface conditions for cotton seed sowing

The surface of your soil needs attention, too. Even if you plant at the perfect time with optimal temperature and moisture, if conditions a week later during emergence are poor at the soil’s surface, your cotton stands will suffer. Two hazards that occasionally disrupt early cotton growth are hard soil crusts and blowing sand.

Heavy rainfall after planting cotton, especially in silt-loam or clay soils, can form a dense surface crust as the soil dries. Cotton seedlings must physically push through this layer during emergence. When crust strength increases, emergence declines rapidly, particularly when cotton is planted deeper than 1 inch.³

If crust forms while the root is forming, you will need to intervene. This often means using a rotary hoe or rolling cultivator to break up the crust. Or you can irrigate with just 0.3 to 0.5 inches to soften the surface.⁴ Just remember to be careful not to damage the seed during cultivation.

Wind and blowing sand can also damage young seedlings. High winds can physically abrade tender seedlings or deposit sand against emerging plants, increasing stress and, in severe cases, leading to replant decisions. By paying attention to weather conditions , you can get ahead of many early-season challenges.

Every grower knows you can’t control the weather, but you can control what seeds you plant and when you plant them. Selecting high-vigor cotton seed and waiting for favorable soil conditions help reduce early-season risk and support uniform emergence, protecting yield potential from the start.

Experts are available to help you make your seed buying decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Hand, Camp, et al. 2024 Georgia Cotton Production Guide. UGA Cooperative Extension Annual Publication 124-4, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Sept. 2024, fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AP-124-4_2.pdf.
Hand et al. Georgia Cotton Production Guide.
Hand et al. Georgia Cotton Production Guide.
Hand et al. Georgia Cotton Production Guide.

Identifying Corn Root Diseases: Rootless Corn Syndrome vs. Fertilizer Burn

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:26:46 GMT

Wondering what’s causing stunted growth and wilting in your corn field? First, examine the roots. You might find evidence of seed corn maggot or cutworm damage in the corn root system. But there are other possible culprits, including fertilizer burn and rootless corn syndrome.

Because these threats damage corn roots in similar fashion, rootless corn syndrome is commonly misdiagnosed as fertilizer burn, and vice versa.

Read on to learn how to better identify and differentiate between the two.

Rootless corn syndrome symptoms in the corn root system

Also known as floppy corn syndrome, rootless corn syndrome typically occurs when hot, dry surface soils, shallow planting depth and soil compaction or cloddy soils occur during nodal root development. Your roots are most at risk when soils reach temperatures in the mid-90s F or higher.¹

Rootless corn syndrome is often noticeable at the three- to eight-leaf stage of corn development.² Scout carefully because plants can appear vigorous and healthy yet fall over later because of limited support in the root system.

Missing roots are a giveaway for rootless corn, while damaged white tissue between the seed and the plant base can indicate fertilizer burn

(Hedgehog94)

When this condition is present, you might observe:

Very limited or nearly absent root development
Nodal corn roots that appear stubby, shriveled, discolored and not anchored to the soil
Plants that are on the brink of lodging or are lodged and are lying on the ground
Plants that show stunted growth, wilting or are dead

How to manage rootless corn syndrome

If plants remain upright, adding soil around exposed corn roots with cultivation can aid recovery. Rain promotes nodal root development and establishment and moistens the seedbed.

If plants are lodged and lying flat as a result of rootless corn syndrome, recovery is unlikely.

Symptoms of fertilizer burn in the corn plant root system

Fertilizer burn on corn is typically caused by in-furrow or pop-up fertilizer applications, during which fertilizer is placed in direct contact with seeds at planting. However, shallow fertilizer injection depth, 2x2 starter fertilizer applications and excessively high rates of pre-plant anhydrous and urea applications can all cause fertilizer burn on the corn root system.³

Depending on the type of fertilizer, burn damage is caused by the introduction of salt or ammonia into the rooting zone. In general, use no more than 10 lb. per acre of nitrogen plus K2O. Do not use products with a salt index greater than 20 in the furrow.

Hot, dry conditions at planting can exacerbate fertilizer burn.

Corn roots burned by fertilizer will display the following symptoms:

Stunted, brownish black radicle root (the first root emerging from the seed)⁴
Damaged mesocotyl (white, root-like tissue between the seed and the plant base)
Yellowing or browning of leaf margins
Wilted seedlings and uneven plant stands

Distinguishing between fertilizer burn in corn roots and rootless corn syndrome

Because these ailments both affect corn roots, it’s important to dig beneath the soil surface to distinguish between the two. Gently dig up a corn plant and examine the roots.

If the roots are nearly absent, it’s likely rootless corn syndrome. If you suspect the problem might be fertilizer burn, you can conduct soil testing to find out if the soil contains excessive levels of salts or other chemicals. You can proactively mitigate future burn risk by placing fertilizer-N injection bands multiple inches away from seedlings. If you suspect active burn damage and have access to irrigation, you can apply 1” or 2” of water to disperse salts.⁵

An agronomist can help you diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate management strategies. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative .

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Licht, Mark, and Zachary Clemens. “Rootless Corn.” Integrated Crop Management Encyclopedia, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 1 June 2021, https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/rootless-corn . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Thomison, Peter. “Rootless and ‘Floppy’ Corn.” C.O.R.N. Newsletter, Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, The Ohio State University & Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 2016-17, https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/rootless-and-floppy-corn . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Quinn, Dan. “Corn Root Damage Caused by Fertilizer.” Purdue University - College of Agriculture, 20 June 2023, ag.purdue.edu/news/department/agry/kernel-news/2023/06/2023-corn-root-damage.html . Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Vittetoe, Rebecca. “Regional Crop Update: May 4 – May 12, 2025.” Integrated Crop Management, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 13 May 2025, https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/post/regional-crop-update-may-4-may-12-2025 . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Maharjan, Bijesh, Javed Iqbal, Laila Puntel, and Jenny Brhel. “Fertilizer-Nitrogen Injury to Corn.” CropWatch, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 17 May 2023, https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2023/fertilizer-nitrogen-injury-corn/ . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.

Symptom Identification and Management of Phosphorus Deficiency in Corn

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:56:11 GMT

You’re familiar with the yellowing corn leaves or stems that can result from nitrogen deficiency , water stress or disease. But what about dark purple streaks at the tips and margins of older leaves? This purple discoloration could be a sign of a phosphorus (P) deficiency in corn.

Proactive soil sampling and P fertilizer application are generally sufficient to prevent phosphorus deficiency. P deficiency symptoms typically show up early when plants are still young. By the time these symptoms become obvious, yield loss may be unavoidable.

Causes of phosphorus deficiency in corn

Phosphorus deficiencies are most common in younger plants and are influenced by soil conditions, management practices and climate.

Soil factors

Soils with both low and high pH levels can experience reduced phosphorus availability, as P tends to form insoluble compounds at either pH extreme. Regular soil testing is essential to assess phosphorus levels and, perhaps more importantly, soil pH to identify potential P deficiencies. Soil of 6.0 to 7.0 pH is ideal for phosphorus availability.¹ Soil pH of less than 5.5 generally limits phosphorus availability of P by 30 percent or more. High amounts of iron oxides, available aluminum, or calcium carbonates or sulfates in soil also bind phosphorus, reducing its availability.²

Soil compaction may also reduce root growth, resulting in decreased P uptake since smaller root systems explore less soil volume and can’t get to available phosphorus.

High-yield environments

High-yield hybrids and increased planting density can lead to greater nutrient extraction from the soil, making adequate phosphorus fertilization necessary.

Environmental stressors

Cold or waterlogged soil hinders phosphorus uptake due to its effect on root growth and metabolism.

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency in corn

Phosphorus deficiencies typically occur prior to V6, especially in seedlings, resulting in stunted growth, delayed maturity and greater susceptibility to environmental stressors. Early identification aids management and minimizes negative outcomes.

Symptoms at seedling stage (prior to V6): Purplish discoloration appears on corn leaves, typically concentrated on the lower parts of the plant.
Symptoms during early vegetative growth: Roots may appear shallow, sparse and poorly developed. Also, overall stunted growth with a noticeable reduction in leaf size and plant height is common. Phosphorus-deficient plants may be delayed in reaching developmental milestones, potentially leading to reduced yields.
Symptoms during reproductive growth stage: Phosphorus deficiency can cause poor kernel development, incomplete grain filling and ultimately reduced yield potential. Weaker stalks and poor cob attachment from deficient plants make them more susceptible to lodging.
General symptoms across life cycle: In severe cases, phosphorus deficiency can cause necrosis or death of older leaves, starting at the leaf tips or edges and progressing inward. Necrotic tissue reduces photosynthetic capacity and hampers overall plant health.

How to improve phosphorus availability

If you determine through a soil test that your soil is lacking in phosphorus, there are strategies that make phosphorus more available.

Banding phosphorus fertilizer

Phosphorus fertilizer application through banding can help increase the availability of P to your plants because it is less likely to become tied up in your soil, especially if you’re dealing with high or low pH soils.

Phosphorus and pH balance in soil

Phosphorus availability is influenced by soil acidity. If your soil is too acidic, phosphorus might not be as accessible to your plants. Lime application can help balance the pH and improve nutrient availability. In high pH soils above 7.5, phosphorus is less available due to binding with calcium.

Preventing phosphorus deficiency in corn

Regular scouting and monitoring, coupled with soil testing, and identifying phosphorus deficiency symptoms and their variations throughout the corn life cycle can help you implement targeted management practices, such as fertilization, to address nutrient imbalances.

Consult with your extension agent or your regional BASF representative to get tailored recommendations based on regional soil conditions and specific crop varieties.

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Larson, Erick. “Corn Fertilization.” Mississippi State University Extension Service, extension.msstate.edu/publications/corn-fertilization. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
“Soil Phosphorus.” USDA, 2022, www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Soil%20Phosphorus.pdf. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

Early Spring Soybean Weed Control: Managing Giant Ragweed and Kochia

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:02:13 GMT

Kochia and giant ragweed are formidable broadleaf soybean weeds that share many similarities, enabling you to scout for and manage them in tandem.

Here’s how chemical and cultural practices can help mitigate the risks of these weeds in soybean.

Kochia and giant ragweed: two early-season soybean weeds

Limit the threat of giant ragweed and kochia early in the soybean growing season with a one-two punch of chemical and cultural practices.

(BASF + Matt Lavin)

Because they are similar, kochia and giant ragweed are often susceptible to the same chemical and cultural control methods. Here’s a breakdown of their shared traits to help you simplify your control protocol:

1. Early and long emergence timeframe

Both giant ragweed and kochia can germinate early, with most emergence coming in the first two to three weeks of the season, though additional emergence can occur almost all season long.

Kochia can germinate as early as January and continue to emerge into July. Giant ragweed seedlings first emerge in March and can continue into early August.

Giant ragweed seedling

(BASF internal image)

2. Short seed life and fast germination

Both giant ragweed and kochia have a short seed life and fast germination, meaning early control of these soybean weeds is key to greatly reducing or eliminating them. More than

95% of kochia seeds die after two years.¹ Similarly, less than 1% of giant ragweed are viable by the end of the same period.²

By providing complete control and allowing no seed production in the first two years following a year with weed escapes, you can effectively rid the field of these weeds. If possible, delay tillage before planting in problem fields to control the large first flush of these weeds that germinate early in the season.

High potential for yield reduction

Giant ragweed grows quickly and can reach heights of up to 17'. Just one giant ragweed plant per 110 sq. ft. can reduce yields by up to 50%.³

Kochia’s erect plants feature stems between 1' and 4' high and can quickly overtake soybeans. Early-emerging kochia can reduce soybean yields by 70% or more.⁴

Herbicide timing for soybean weed control

Effective control of kochia and giant ragweed is achievable with a one-two punch of pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides. Always read and follow the product label and instructions before application.

Pre-plant and burndown herbicides for soybeans

Tillage or burndown herbicides can help you control emerged weed populations before planting. Sharpen® is among the most effective burndown herbicides and works best when applied before planting. It also offers residual weed control. 2,4-D is often used as a burndown tank-mixed with Sharpen.

Your pre-emergence herbicide list for soybeans

Consult your pre-emergence herbicide list and apply soybean pre-emergence herbicide when soil temperatures are warm enough for weed germination and before weed emergence to reduce germination and target seedlings. Verdict® herbicide is a strong option for giant ragweed control.

Post-emergence herbicide for soybeans

Foliar application of a post-emergence herbicide for weeds in soybean should be made when kochia plants or giant ragweed are between 3" and 4", or as directed by the label. Liberty® ULTRA herbicide and 2,4-D are good post-emergence control options for giant ragweed in emerged soybeans. Both can be applied in a tank mix with glyphosate.

Time your herbicide application carefully. For example, herbicide applications to kochia are ineffective when applied during the early button stage, when dense leaf hairs can hinder foliar absorption.⁵

Non-chemical soybean weed control

Rotate your soybeans with crops that work well with delayed seeding and pre-seeding tillage to keep weed populations more manageable. Clean equipment thoroughly to avoid transferring weed seeds between fields.

Fall-sown cover crops can also limit weed pressure. For example, triticale has been found to reduce kochia densities up to 94%.⁶

Cereal rye works well to suppress giant ragweed. Research indicates that at least 3,500 pounds of dry cereal rye biomass per acre could effectively reduce giant ragweed density by up to 50%.⁷

Reach out to your nearby extension office agent or a company professional like your regional BASF representative with questions about control of soybean weeds.

________________________________________________

Endnotes

Patterson, Eric. Kochia scoparia: Basic Research in Biology and Ecology. Colorado State University Weed Science, Dec. 2019, https://agsci.colostate.edu/weedscience/wp-content/uploads/sites/84/2019/12/Patterson_KochiaBiologyEcology_BasicResearch.pdf . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
“Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.).” Weeds Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, https://www.canr.msu.edu/weeds/extension/giant-ragweed . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Johnson, Bill, et al. “Biology and Management of Giant Ragweed.” University of Delaware, www.udel.edu/content/dam/udelImages/canr/pdfs/extension/weed-science/GWC12_GtRagweed.pdf . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
“Kochia Management in Soybeans.” MU Extension, 2018, extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/miscpubs/mx1135.pdf . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Westra, Eric P. “Kochia.” Getting Rid Of Weeds, Grow - Integrated Weed Management, 25 June 2024, growiwm.org/weeds/kochia/ . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
“Kochia.” Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, 28 Dec. 2023, agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/imp-pests/kochia/ . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Wele, Rodrigo. “Cereal Rye Cover Crop Vs. Giant Ragweed.” Cover Crop Strategies, 2 Jan. 2024, www.covercropstrategies.com/articles/3029-cereal-rye-cover-crop-vs-giant-raweed . Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.

The root of a strong weed control program

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:49:30 GMT

A building is only as strong as its foundation. The same can be said for a weed control program. To defend fields against hard-to-manage weeds throughout the season, farmers act as architects — designing and implementing well-thought-out plans. Preemergence herbicides are the foundation of a successful weed management plan. Jeff Bode, market development specialist with Corteva Agriscience, said preemergence herbicide applications are fundamental to achieving cleaner fields from planting to harvest.

“Farmers can’t afford to miss the preemergence herbicide application window,” Bode said. “Starting clean is the root of any type of weed management program. If you’re able to start clean, that drives season-long weed control.”

To maximize the effectiveness of their weed control plan and prolong the efficacy of crop protection solutions, Bode encourages farmers to implement a program approach to weed control that includes using products with multiple modes of action (MOA) and residual activity. During the preemergence herbicide application window, Bode said, farmers should be taking advantage of these solutions, as it is “easier to prevent a weed from coming up rather than controlling it once it has emerged.”

Bode added that achieving adequate weed control in the first 60 to 75 days is paramount as the crop canopy begins to close out.

For soybean farmers, Sonic^® Boom herbicide offers two MOAs — Group 5 and Group 14 active ingredients — for excellent control of more than 35 troublesome weeds. The soybean herbicide has a 2:1 formulation of metribuzin and sulfentrazone to deliver four to six weeks of residual activity, helping farmers achieve early season weed control and putting less stress on postemergence herbicide applications.

“Because preemergence herbicide applications set the tone for the season, farmers should consider investing in residual products like Sonic Boom herbicide,” Bode said. “The residual herbicide fits well into a two-pass system by delivering that long-lasting residual for extended weed control and widening the window for follow-up postemergence applications.”

The convenient formulation of Sonic Boom herbicide also enables farmers to streamline their management practices. Available in a liquid SC premix, farmers who spray Sonic Boom herbicide can tank-mix with a burndown herbicide prior to planting or with other preemergence options, including Enlist One^® herbicide with Enlist E3^® soybeans, for even more powerful weed control. Because the solution has the flexibility to fit a variety of agronomic and weed control systems, farmers can save time and inputs with Sonic Boom herbicide in their tank.

“Farmers have had an excellent experience with Sonic Boom herbicide since the 2025 launch year,” Bode said. “Not only have they been able to achieve clean fields but they have also found the flexibility allows them to tailor their weed management plan to their operation and unique needs. That’s critical to a successful program.”

Although Bode emphasizes the importance of preemergence applications and ensuring farmers are using products that deliver results, he says farmers should be following those sprays with postemergence residual herbicides in-season for a structurally sound weed management strategy.

“Having a strong start to the season with a preemergence product like Sonic Boom herbicide is a good baseline to start,” Bode said. “After making that preemergence application, it’s crucial to make a sequential application of an in-crop residual. Farmers who follow a program approach are gaining full-season weed control, and it’s driving really good results.”

Visit Corteva.com/us/SonicBoom for more information about Sonic Boom herbicide contact your local ag retailer or Corteva representative.

^{™ ®} Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Following burndown, Enlist Duo^® and Enlist One^® herbicides with Colex-D^® technology are the only herbicides containing 2,4-D that are authorized for preemergence and postemergence use with Enlist^® crops. Consult Enlist^® herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are not registered for use or sale in all states and counties; are not registered in AK, CA, CT, HI, ID, MA, ME, MT, NH, NV, OR, RI, UT, VT, WA and WY; and have additional subcounty restrictions in AL, GA, TN and TX, while existing county restrictions still remain in FL. All users must check “Bulletins Live! Two” no earlier than six months before using Enlist One or Enlist Duo. To obtain “Bulletins,” consult epa.gov/espp/, call 1-844-447-3813, or email ESPP@epa.gov. You must use the “Bulletin” valid for the month and state and county in which Enlist One or Enlist Duo are being applied. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency if you have questions about the registration status of Enlist^® herbicides in your area. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO USE ANY PESTICIDE PRODUCT OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS LABELING. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. USE OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, 2,4-D-CONTAINING PRODUCTS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE WITH ENLIST CROPS, MAY RESULT IN OFF-TARGET DAMAGE TO SENSITIVE CROPS/AREAS AND/OR SUSCEPTIBLE PLANTS, IN ADDITION TO CIVIL AND/OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES. Additional product-specific stewardship requirements for Enlist crops, including the Enlist Product Use Guide, can be found at www.traitstewardship.com. Sonic^® Boom is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. ©2026 Corteva. 037081BR (03/26) 01008

Agricultural cooperative advises members on proven nitrogen stabilizers

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:52:43 GMT

I will continue to recommend using N-Serve as a stabilizer, because it’s one of those products that has continually delivered a return on investment for us.

Joe Dee has supported the Minnesota farming community since 2013 through his role as an agronomy sales lead with Ag Partners. Growing up on a dairy farm in northeastern Iowa, he is ingrained in the agriculture industry.

Ag Partners is a full-service ag retail cooperative with locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It provides agronomic services and supplies, energy and grain marketing to more than 12,000 customers in the region. Ag Partners takes a lead role in providing growers new ways of enhancing the profitability of production agriculture.

“Ultimately, we’re about building relationships and continuing those. And, to me, that’s the best part about working in agriculture,” Dee said.

Dee discussed the variability in harvest outcomes over the last two years.

“In 2025, we’ve harvested probably some of the best crops we’ve had in the last five years. Although in 2024, with the amount of rainfall we had in this particular territory, it was probably the worst crop we’ve ever had,” he said. “And it varies as you go territory to territory, so it’s been up and down as Mother Nature kind of dictates.”

Dee highlighted the benefit of utilizing a nitrogen stabilizer on growing plants. The additional longevity of usable nitrogen when plants need it most is vital to maximizing productivity.

“We get that massive uptake curve by having the nitrogen in the root zone where we need it,” Dee said. “We’re not going to see the nitrogen deficiency that we would otherwise without a stabilizer, especially with the extreme weather events that we’ve had.”

For Dee, using a nitrogen stabilizer is non-negotiable. He’s successfully demonstrated to his customers the advantages of utilizing N-Serve^® nitrogen stabilizer. With 50 years on the market, N-Serve has proven value to farmers time and again—and then some.

“Our customers rely on us as agronomists to make the best decisions on their farm, and nitrogen stabilization is one of those things,” Dee said. “It’s not something that we think about or argue that ‘Hey, is this something that doesn’t pay or do we really need it?’ because it’s one of those products that has a long-standing reputation, and it’s been proven.”

Dee is confident recommending N-Serve nitrogen stabilizer to his customers, because he’s witnessed the benefits in the field year after year. His company has performed successful trials with the product and he sees the return on investment for growers. He knows that when growers see the results on their farms, they are believers.

“It’s been proven since it came out in the 1970s,” Dee said. “It’s a product that keeps nitrogen in the root zone when the plant needs it most.”

Even with weather events like extreme rainfall, Dee remains firm on the value of N-Serve.

In his experience, Dee says, “The return on investment is always there.”

Dee also considers principled land-stewardship practices when he’s recommending nitrogen stabilizers to Ag Partners’ members. He knows that for farmers, stewardship means leaving their land better than they found it - for generations to come.

“It’s about protecting what’s there and protecting our groundwater as well,” Dee said. “Using stabilizers is just a sound agronomic practice.”

Dee has his customers’ best interests in mind, and he takes the consulting part of his role to heart. He makes recommendations based on his experience with products and his knowledge of the industry and the region.

“I will continue to recommend using N-Serve as a stabilizer, because it’s one of those products that has continually delivered a return on investment for us,” Dee said.

Learn more about the importance of nitrogen stabilizers and how they can increase yield potential here .

Longer Drain Intervals for Less Downtime

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:30:59 GMT

Every farm has a tempo, a cadence in which they get things done. There are daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal rhythms. Keeping true to these productive tempos can help determine whether a season is successful or not (severe weather interruptions notwithstanding).

In order to help you achieve this success, your equipment needs to do its part. Having it on the sideline for maintenance is a recipe for a down year. To keep it running smoothly so you can perform at your best, you should consider using the lubricants made specifically for your equipment.

For New Holland owners, that would be New Holland Engine Oil and Hydraulic Transmission Oil Premium. These OEM lubricants are formulated to protect vital engine and transmission parts, to improve your performance in the field.

Using New Holland OEM engine oil helps you maintain your tempo because it’s engineered to provide longer drain intervals, meaning it stays in service longer in the field. Research has shown that using the OEM brand can cut the need for oil changes by up to 50% versus other lubricants. Imagine the time saved and production gains you can achieve when you can work 50% longer than the competition.

Extended drain intervals help improve uptime across farm operations.

(CNH Genuine Parts)

Now think what that could mean if you have a fleet of New Holland machines using New Holland engine oil — the number of oil changes you wouldn’t have to perform would increase your productivity skyward. And if you purchase the lubricants in bulk, you’ll always have them there, ready to be used, reducing even more downtime.

In addition to its lifespan, OEM engine oil provides superior oxidation resistance under high-heat, high-pressure operating conditions. You can rest assured knowing New Holland engine oil will operate as intended, no matter what you put it through, day-to-day, week-to-week and season-to-season.

Oxidation testing shows how OEM engine oil maintains performance over time.

(CNH Genuine Parts)

New Holland Hydraulic Transmission Oil Premium provides superior oxidation resistance compared to the competition. It also protects your engine from wear by up to 30% better than the competition. That way, you can work confidently knowing your machine will perform up to your standards throughout the season.

Testing shows lower oxidation compared with non-OEM hydraulic fluid.

(CNH Genuine Parts)

Wear testing highlights long-term protection for hardworking equipment.

(CNH Genuine Parts)

And get this, these lubricants aren’t developed just for the newest equipment that’s rolling off the production line. They’re backward compatible, which means they’ll help protect older New Holland machines already in the field.

To us, it only seems natural to use the lubricants made by the same people who made your equipment. After all, who knows the machines better than the manufacturer? Makes sense, right? Because when all is said and done, it’s about protecting one of your operation’s biggest investments. And at the same time, having confidence that your equipment can handle the real-world demands you put on it.

By choosing OEM lubricants versus all the other pretenders on the shelf, you’re engaging in the practice of intentional care. So be intentional. Trust yourself to care for your equipment by choosing the lubricants made precisely for your equipment.

To learn more about the full line of New Holland lubricants, visit https://www.mycnhstore.com/us/en/newhollandag/leadinglubricantsnhag

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Scouting and Management Strategies for Cotton Bollworm Control

Cotton bollworm identification and life cycle

Scouting and economic thresholds

Bt resistance in transgenic cotton

Insecticide selection for cotton bollworm control

Cultural practices and integrated pest management

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Endnotes

Symptoms of Southern Rust in Corn: When to Scout and What to Look For

Southern corn rust symptoms

Common rust vs southern rust in corn

Where and when to scout for rust in corn

Scouting is the first step in southern corn rust management

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Endnotes

Gray Leaf Spot: Scouting and Identification of Corn Leaf Spot Symptoms

When and where to look for gray leaf spot in corn

How to recognize early symptoms

What to look for when identifying gray leaf spot in corn

Distinguishing gray leaf spot in corn to avoid common misdiagnosis

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Endnotes

Engenia Herbicide is Back

Strategies for Controlling Late-Season Weed Escapes in Corn and Soybeans

Weed control in soybean and corn: How weed escapes wreak havoc

Locations and causes of end-of-season weed escapes

What makes weed escapes hard to manage?

Strategies for weed control in soybean crop and corn fields

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Endnotes

Managing Soybean Aphids and Bean Leaf Beetles in the Early Growing Season

Early scouting and soybean aphid control

What do soybean aphids look like?

Insecticides for soybean aphids

Early scouting and bean leaf beetle control

Scouting and identifying bean leaf beetle damage

Insecticides for bean leaf beetle control

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Endnotes

Cotton Seedling Diseases: Identification and Proactive Management Tactics

Identifying cotton seedling diseases

Environmental risk factors and optimal planting conditions

Proactive cotton disease control and seed treatments

In-season scouting and cultural mitigation of cotton seedling diseases

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Endnotes

Major Insect Pests of Cotton: Cotton Insecticides and Integrated Management

Variety selection and cultural control of insects in cotton crops

Early pest management: seed treatments and scouting for cotton crop insects

Economic thresholds and scouting for mid-season insects in cotton

Mitigating cotton insecticide resistance risk

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Endnotes

When to Apply Sulfur Fertilizer for Sulfur Deficiency in Corn and Soybeans

Conditions that increase likelihood of sulfur deficiency

Differentiate between sulfur and nitrogen deficiency

Determine when a sulfur fertilizer rescue application is warranted

How to time an application for sulfur deficiency in corn

Sulfur fertilizer application recommendations

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Endnotes

Tips for Sidedressing Fertilizer: Maximizing Nitrogen Applications in Corn

Timing of side dressing fertilizer for corn

Application methods for side dressing corn

Soil testing to determine your side dress fertilizer needs

Split application nitrogen cost estimates

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Endnotes

The Best Time to Apply Fungicide for Gray Leaf Spot on Corn

3 factors influencing fungicide applications for gray leaf spot

Environmental conditions

Humidity and moisture

Temperature

Field history and management

Delayed planting

Field condition

Gray leaf spot prevalence and severity

Narrowing the application window for gray leaf spot treatment

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