Category Archives: Central Texas
Agronomic Considerations for Growing Fiber Hemp in Central Texas
Plant Information Fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), an annual crop, is grown for bast and hurd fibers. Some are dual-purpose grown for grain and fiber, but the focus of this article is hemp for fiber production. Bast fibers are produced from the outside of the stalk, while hurd fibers are from the interior wood core. Most of the current fiber hemp varieties are photoperiod sensitive and flower according to day length. Fiber hemp has separate male and female plants, which are typically mixed in a seed bag. Figure… Read More →
Corn Diseases in South and Central Texas, So Far
This season has been unusual for corn diseases. Early in the year, starting in south Texas and progressing north, the fungal disease, northern corn leaf blight (Figure 1), has been very prevalent. Usually, a few lesions of the disease are seen on the lowest leaves and the disease never progresses. Disease development is driven by frequent rain and temperatures lower than 80°F. In a typical Texas growing season, infrequent rain, but moreover increasing temperatures will hinder the fungus. Weather conditions early in the season supported disease development. There… Read More →