Monthly Archives: March 2015
Get Ready for a Fight: Glyphosate Resistant Waterhemp and Palmer Amaranth are Here!
Josh McGinty (joshua.mcginty@ag.tamu.edu), Paul Baumann, and Pete Dotray Department of Soil & Crop Sciences You’ve all seen the horror stories about glyphosate (Roundup) resistant pigweed infestations in the Southeastern United States. Texas farmers largely dodged the bullet until 2005, when reports of resistance started to trickle in. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Research first confirmed glyphosate resistant common waterhemp in Central and Southeast Texas. This was followed by the confirmation of resistant Palmer amaranth on the Southern High Plains in 2010. Since that time, these researchers have conducted… Read More →
Entomology Update from South Texas
By Robert Bowling (robert.bowling@ag.tamu.edu) CORN: Much of the 2015 south Texas corn crop is planted and has emerged. Abundant fall and winter rain has filled soil moisture profiles and the prospects are high for an above average corn crop. Monitoring insect pests is critical to avoid bumps that could derail production goals. Early season pests that may interfere with normal early-season plant development include cutworms, flea beetles, and chinch bugs. Cutworms: Several moth species commonly known as cutworms can be severe pests of corn. The larval or immature… Read More →
2,4-D and Sensitivity in Small Grains
By Calvin Trostle (ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu); The growth regulator type herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, or 2,4-D, has a long history of versatile weed control in U.S. agriculture for many crops. Two main formulations exist for 2,4-D: 1) “esters”, which tend to have a higher level of chemical activity on weeds, but more potential injury for small grains, especially on jointing stage through near boot stage; 2) “amines”, which are softer than ester formulations, with a slightly reduced injury potential, and are less prone to vapor drift. Purdue University’s “Amine or Ester,… Read More →