Disease Blog for Southern Illinois
June 16
Planted our last corn trial for 2008. This was not a planned site, but we could not pass up the opportunity to test some seed treatments (nematicides) against the corn nematodes. The trial went in right on top of the area where this picture was taken.
June 7
Most of the fields had 1-20 needle nematodes per 100 cc soil. However, the severe fields had ~ 50 per sample. We later found 330 needle nematodes in 50 cc of soil that was clinging to roots (see example).
June 3
Corn nematodes (needle, dagger, sting) are causing damage in sandy areas of fields from Carmi down toward Shawneetown (pictures).
May 21
Pythium spp. is wrecking havoc in our early planted (April 14) seed treatment trials (pictures). I have not seen much Phythophthora this year.
June 19
Frogeye leaf spot was found in southeastern Illinois. This is the first field for 2008. The soybean field is irrigated and is at growth stage R4. That is not typo. The field was planted early and with a MG 1
June 2
Two soybean seedlings were showing early symptoms of SDS at the Valmeyer SDS Trial. Early season symptoms are not common, and occurs in early planted fields that either have a history of SDS or that have been infested (research stations) with the pathogen. This will probably be a hot location, however SDS severity will probably be slight across southern Illinois because of the planting delays. Valmeyer is one of the 6 SDS commercial trial location for Illinois.