By Alison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology
Within the next week, some of you may receive a survey from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the mail. This survey is targeted at certified crop advisors (CCAs) in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio. A similar survey will be sent to corn growers in each state in a few weeks. Extension field crop specialists, Alison Robertson (ISU), Carl Bradley (UWI), Pierce Paul (OSU) and Paul Esker (UW) have received funding from the USDA- National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program to conduct this survey. We hope to understand the risks corn growers face, and the tools crop advisors recommend growers use to improve yields. The information gathered from the survey will be used to develop educational materials and tools for corn growers and crop advisors to better manage corn diseases.
In addition to the survey, we also received funding to conduct field trials in all four states for four years. The goal of these trials is to develop thresholds for major foliar diseases. In years three and four of the study, thresholds will be tested in eight to ten on-farm trials in each state.
Only a small sample of mid-western crop advisors and corn growers is being asked to participate in this study. Thus, it is very important that everyone who receives a questionnaire completes it and returns it. All those who receive a survey will remain anonymous to us researchers. Although participation is voluntary, this is an important opportunity for you to contribute to the future of corn disease management, and to have your opinions heard.
If you receive the survey, or hear at the coffee shop of someone receiving the survey, please encourage them to take part.
Alison Robertson is an assistant professor of plant pathology with research and extension responsibilities in field crop diseases. Robertson may be reached at (515) 294-6708 or by email at alisonr@iastate.edu.
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on April 12, 2010. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.
Alison Robertson Professor of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Dr. Alison Robertson is a professor of plant pathology and microbiology. She provides extension education on the diagnosis and management of corn and soybean diseases. Her research interests include Pythium seedling disease of corn and soybean and Goss's wilt. Dr. Robertson received her bach...