By Nicolle Ritchie and Angie Gradiz
Weather
Storms late last Thursday, June 11, with high winds caused damage to trees, houses, irrigation systems and some crops. Temperatures cooled considerably and have remained low into this week. Several evenings with rainfall brought the total weekly precipitation to just under 2 inches for the Constantine Enviroweather station. Hail in the middle of the week shredded leaves and caused a range of crop damage in parts of the region. Sunday, June 21, is the next chance for significant precipitation, and temperatures will remain cool throughout the upcoming week.
Crops and pests
Early planted soybeans are at V4-5. Once soybeans reach V2-3, nodules are easily visible on roots. This is a good time to check on nodulation, especially if the plants seem yellower, stunted or less robust than expected. For more information on evaluating soybean nodulation, check out “Evaluating nodulation in soybeans” from PennState Extension.
Early planted corn is at V6-7. Side dress nitrogen continued to go out in corn as weather and field conditions permitted. Significant water and nitrogen uptake starts around V6 and continues through pollination.
Winter wheat is at Feekes 11.1 (kernel milky ripe) and 11.2 (soft dough). Some fields are experiencing premature canopy senescence due to previous dry weather, leaf infection or plant stress. Early yellowing or browning of foliage can reduce grain fill and affect test weight.
Potatoes are in various stages of bloom and row closure. Overly wet soil conditions can cause lenticels to swell and burst, opening up wounds in the tuber where pathogens can enter.
Alfalfa and forage regrowth is looking good. Potato leafhopper adults and nymphs may be in fields. Potato leafhopper is an especially difficult pest because visible symptoms (v-shaped yellowing at leaf tips, referred to as hopperburn) don’t appear until after it is too late to correct them. For comprehensive potato leafhopper threshold tables based on product cost and hay price, check out potato leafhopper from Iowa State University.
Source : msu.edu