Row Crop Disease Update

By Scott Carlson

“Planting season is upon us and critical decisions with regards to season-long disease and nematode control must be made before the furrow is closed. For now, there are 4 critical issues, as I see them.”

1. Nematode management for corn producers.  Options are Telone II, Counter 20G, Propulse, and Avicta Complete Corn (a seed treatment).
2. Peanut seed issues – In a “nut shell” A) Fungicide seed treatments are a MUST on peanut seed.  B ) Where high quality seed is planted, use of Rancona or Dynasty PD is likely sufficient.  C) Where seed quality is an issue, or MAY be an issue, Rancona has been a much better product for suppressing Aseprgillus flavus and, to some degree, Aspergillus niger, on the seed.  D) Where Dynasty PD is used on seed and where seed-quality is an issue, use of either Proline or Velum Total in-furrow is recommended (as opposed to azoxystronin/Abound). E) Where Rancona is used and there is question on seed quality, growers may use Proline, Velum Total or Abound, as Abound and Rancona contain different chemistries.  F) If growers are using Velum Total in-furrow already for nematode control, they do not need to add additional Abound in-furrow for extra protection against seedling diseases. G) If your grower wants Rancona and cannot get it, BEWARE of “offers” that come for products that are “just as good”.
3. Cotton nematodes – warm soils and cotton left in the field that never died add up to greater risk for nematodes in 2020.
4. Kudzu and Asian soybean rust – we know that kudzu survived the winter and is infected with Asian soybean rust.  It is very possible that we will have earlier outbreaks of soybean rust in 2020.  Soybean producers should be anticipating this.