"TOP TALK"-September 2004
Common Stalk Rot Diseases of Corn
Terrorism: Prevention is the Key
Top Talk: The Family Serving You!
Common Stalk Rot Diseases of Corn
Whether grown in an irrigated or dryland production system, all corn hybrids are susceptible to a variety of stalk rot diseases. These diseases occur every year in every field to some extent. The level of impact is determined by a number of factors, including the weather during the growing season, the amount of stress on the plants, hybrid genetics and the populations of the stalk rot pathogens in the field.
Corn stalk rot is a family of diseases caused by several species of fungi and bacteria. The geographic distribution of plant diseases and the incidence and severity of those diseases changes over time due to changes in climatic conditions, agricultural practices and hybrid genetics.
Stalk rot diseases cause internal decay and discoloration of stalk tissues, directly reduce yields by impairing translocation of water and nutrients, and can result in death and lodging of plants any time during the season. Individual stalk rot diseases differ greatly in their frequency of occurrence, the symptoms they induce, the severity of damage they cause and their geographic distribution. Some stalk rot pathogens attack the plant early in the season while others attack late. Some attack the plant in the season while others attack late. Some attack the plant from the seedling stage through maturity.
The most prevalent mid to late season stalk rot pathogens in Nebraska are Furarium, Geibberella, Diplodia and Colletotrichum. These fungi, alone or in combination, are commonly found in corn stalk tissue. Yield losses as a result of lodging or poor kernel fill can be compounded by other sever stresses on the plant, including foliar diseases (e.g., Gray Leaf Spot, Corn Lethal Necrosis).
Fusarium stalk rot has been the most common stalk rot disease in Nebraska. It is characterized by pinkish discoloration in the pith tissues. Fusarium can easily be confused with Gibberella stalk rot which also produces a reddish discoloration of the internal stalk tissues. Yet the prevalence of Gibberella in Nebraska is uncertain.
Diplodia stalk rot is characterized by brown discoloration in the lower two internodal regions of the stalk and by the appearance of small black reproductive structures on the stalk surface
Anthracnose stalk rot has three components: leaf blight, stalk rot and top die-back.
Some stalk rot management strategies are to reduce stress through: an even fertilizer program, water management, insect control and hybrid selection.
If you wish to read this NebGuide, check out our grower links page to access the IANR website.
TERRORISM: Prevention is the Key By Jolene Skalsky
We all paused for a moment this month to remember the events that transpired on and after September 11th, 2001.
Terrorism has changed America’s views and goals forever. Hopefully this will ultimately make our nation safer and stronger. We, as an ag community, must also be aware of these changes and stay alert and informed.
Top Hat, and other ag retailers, are trying to make facilities safe for our communities and minimize any risk of terrorism by management and practice . These preventative measures may slowly change the way many ag businesses practice today. Here are a few things to keep in mind the next time you buy chemical or fertilizer.
Please, do not be offended. Although you may already be known at a business or you have been a client at a business for years, you may still be asked for pertinent ID or verification.
Be patient and cooperative. You may be in a hurry to get back to the field, but please slow down and take time to answer questions or fill out paperwork. Remember businesses are trying to be more alert and aware of who we sell our products to, where they are going, what they are being used for, and who will be using them.
Report anything suspicious. Don’t be afraid to report suspicious activity to police authorities, land owners, or business owners. Your equipment or a neighbors, we have less people and more ground to cover.
If you haven’t had time to reflect on the events of September 11th, take a moment to remember now. Southwest Nebraska may not be a terrorists target, but we may unknowingly supply materials to a terrorist….reflect on that.
There are three stages in the grasshopper life cycle: the egg, nymph, and adult. Every species has it’s own time periods these cycles occur. Although there are many different species, the Whitewhiskered grasshopper is one of the most predominant in this area (nymph stage May thru Aug).
If control is needed in rangeland, insecticides are most effective when applied while grasshoppers are in the 3rd and 4th Nymph stage.
In crop production, the grasshoppers stage of life is not a factor because of the range of chemicals that may be used.
With wheat planting underway, keep grasshopper control in mind. Wheat, in its early growth stages, is susceptible to grasshopper feeding.
If you are concerned about hoppers in your production, please contact Top Hat.
Top Hat: The Family Serving You!
This month we are honoring all the Top Hat employees that won’t submit pictures: Phyllis, Stacy and Julie!
Phyllis Jones, wife of Stan and mother of Shawn and Stacy, is the mastermind behind the scenes. She helps in all aspects of the Top Hat business and we thank God for her every day!
Stacy Duvel, wife to Mardell and mother to Cade and Colby; is our inventory, accounts payable and purchase order queen!
Julie Jones, wife to Shawn and mother of Grant, Morgan and Emily; is the cattle records keeper, miscellaneous do-it-aller and payroll goddess!
We appreciate all they do,
THANKS LADIES!!!!