This is the Future of Spore Sampling and Disease Forecasting

Jul 28, 2023

20/20 Seed Labs has been doing fantastic work in the molecular analysis of spore samples, providing farmers with timely information regarding potential diseases that could be present in the air sweeping across their fields.

Through spore sampling, disease pathogens like Sclerotinia and Fusarium can be detected early in the air. This process involves a stationary passive device that traps these spores as they are carried by air currents. Our molecular team analyzes the results within 24 hours of receiving the cartridge from the trap.

The decision of when to spray is extremely time sensitive, and spore traps can provide farmers with the crucial information they need to make well-informed agronomic decisions for their crops. Our aim is to deliver the results of our tests as quickly as possible, and we are constantly exploring methods to improve the sample shipment processes.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.