Recent rains partially flooded several soybean fields across Kentucky. The risk of damage to soybeans is more of a concern for green plants. Soybeans that were brown or tan are less likely to be damaged. The following are some general comments.
Read MoreWith soybean rust being observed in late August in Giles County, Tennessee (south-central TN), and with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma potentially carrying and depositing spores of the soybean rust fungus in Kentucky, the detection of soybean rust in Kentucky this year is eminent.
Read MoreNew soybean disease resources.
Read MoreThe latest resources regarding ear rot and mycotoxins.
Read MoreReports of flooded corn are coming in from around Kentucky. Corn survival is dependent on the crop stage, the depth of flooding, the duration of flooding and the soil type in the field as well as other factors. The following are some key points to corn survival after flooding.
Read MoreHeavy rains and winds occurred the July 13 and 14, 2015. Farmers, county agents and students submitted images of the damage that resulted. Each image contains a short caption to identify the issue. Several days are needed before we can fully determine crop recovery and the extent of the damage.
Read MoreNumerous fields of soybeans appear yellow or bright green right now. The symptoms mimic nitrogen deficiency, but the plants are really starving for air to the roots and sun on the leaves. Everyone is thinking about applying some nitrogen to help make the plants greener. But what these plants really need is for sunshine to help partially dry the soils.
Read MoreCorn in most fields across the state displayed nitrogen (N) deficiency before black layer was reached. Those losses were expected this season as we experience more rain. Normally, we expect yield losses to occur when the corn crop runs low on N before the seeds are done developing on the cob. However, walking some of these fields reveals that corn yields should be very good despite the apparent lack of N.
Read MoreCorn grain can be naturally contaminated by mycotoxins, natural toxins produced by fungi. Though most Kentucky corn crops are free of mycotoxins, fumonisins are the most common threat.
Read MoreAflatoxins are potent, naturally occurring toxins that sometimes develop in corn and certain other crops. Aflatoxins are also among the most carcinogenic substances known. There are well-defined limits on how much aflatoxin is allowable in corn, based on the intended end use.
Read MorePre-harvest contamination of corn with fumonisins is a possibility in some lots of this year’s Kentucky corn crop. Fumonisins are a family of mycotoxins produced by the fungus that causes Fusarium ear rot.
Read MoreAflatoxins are showing up in occasional lots of harvested corn from this season’s crop. Aflatoxins metabolites of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, are potent toxins and carcinogens in animals, and may also be human carcinogens. Aflatoxins are probably the most well-known mycotoxins, because they have long been regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
USDA’s mid-September crop report predicted record level corn yields for Kentucky of 155 bushels per acre. Coupled with increased acreage, the state’s production could top 175 million bushels, which is also a record. However, a potential ‘fly in the ointment’ with this year’s crop is the delayed harvest coupled with damp weather which has led to stalk, ear and kernel rots.
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