Micronutrients
Specialty Fertilizers
Adjuvants
Locations
Markets, News
Weather
Crop Insurance

2935 S. Koke Mill Rd.
Springfield, Illinois
62711 USA
800.252.2905
217.547.5800
217.547.5801 fax

Shirt Store
Brandt History
Intranet
Brandt Web Mail
Internal Web Mail

5.1.2008 - 7.21.2008
Location	Avg. High	Avg. Low	Growing Degree Days	11 Year Average	Difference
Farmer City	85	65	1564	1564	0
Lincoln	86	66	1619	1614	5
Jacksonville	87	66	1668	1638	29
Pleasant Plains	87	66	1663	1645	18
Raymond	87	66	1684	1650	34
Petersburg	87	66	1655	1642	13
Auburn	87	66	1668	1640	27
New Berlin	86	66	1655	1628	26
Springfield	86	66	1646	1628	18

The corn and soybean planting this spring has been stretched over 3 months due to the wet spring. Now with the temperature and humidity gauge set on high, we need to focus on getting the fungicide application timing correct. High humidity coupled with 75 to 90 degree temperatures is the perfect breeding ground for plant diseases to infect already weak plants from poorly developed root systems.

The proper fungicide application timing for corn is after the full tassel is emerged and up until the blister stage of the ear. This timing of application will ensure the top leaves are protected from disease during grain fill as well as reducing the ethylene gas in the plant, which will increase chlorophyll concentrations in the plant, thus increasing yield. Fungicide applications to soybeans should be made at the time the pods are filling (R3 to R4 stage) unless Soybean Rust has been identified in the area. Scouting each field before application this summer is a must! While scouting, an assessment of the insects should be made looking for bean leaf beetles, spider mites, and of course soybean aphids.

Is the level of insects high enough to impact pollination, such as aphids, root worm beetles, and Japanese beetles?
Typically if over 5 beetles per plant are found or if silks are clipped to 1” or less, an insecticide application is recommended during pollen shed. If the maturity of the corn plants varies as you go down the row, the threshold for beetles per plant can be as low as 1 per plant to minimize the silk clipping on late pollinating plants. The threshold for aphids on corn is met when pollination is interrupted due to the high concentration of aphids on the tassel and upper leaves. They can cause economic damage in droughty weather if the tassel is covered on 8% of the plants.

The threshold for bean leaf beetle per foot of 30” bean row given the price of soybeans is currently 2 to 3 beetles per foot of row in soybeans from the R4 to R7 stage. It is at this stage of soybean development that the bean leaf beetles will begin feeding on the pods and reduce yields. A general rule of thumb is that for every 2 pods per plant that are chewed on a bushel of beans is lost per acre. Soybean aphid populations can explode and should be monitored closely once they arrive. A population of 100 aphids per plant can grow to an economic threshold of 1000 aphids per plant in 7 days during moderate temperatures and adequate moisture.

Dry weather is the driving factor in the development of Two Spotted Spider Mites. Treatment should be considered when the mites begin to cover the top leaves of the soybean plants in 5% of the field and the weather forecast is hot and dry for the next 5 to 7 days. If the dry weather persists after the rescue application, multiple applications may be needed to keep soybeans productive.

Next, check for nutrient deficiencies on the lower leaves of the corn plants.
The fields that are showing signs of Nitrogen or Potash deficiency on the lower leaves can indicate the amount of nutrient stress during the upcoming grain fill period. Fungicide and N-Boron applications during pollination and grain fill reduces the plants stress by increasing nitrogen assimilation and reducing respiration. Boron is one of the most leachable nutrients, and is lost easily during periods of heavy rain. Research has shown that when Boron is deficient in plants, the yields are reduced through the reduction in translocation of sugars and starches as well as reduced formation of cell walls, terminal buds, and pollen tubes.

OMRI Listed
Ecotec
insect and mite control
Sporatec fungicide
Matratec herbicide






















A general rule of thumb is that for every 2 pods per plant that are chewed on, a bushel of beans is lost per acre.