Integrated Crop Management News

Links to these articles are strongly encouraged. Articles 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 articles are used in any other manner, permission from the author is required.

Hail and Fungicide Use on Corn

June 30, 2015
Battered corn plants after a hail storm

By Adam Sisson, Daren Mueller and Alison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology


Three-year study of hail damage shows decreased yield when hail events occur, yet hail-injured corn plants may have less disease than plants without hail injury.

True White Grub Identification and Management

June 30, 2015
True white grub photo

By Adam J. Varenhorst, Mike Dunbar and Erin Hodgson, Department of Entomology 


Stunted and wilted corn plants could be the result of grub feeding. Although rescue treatments are available, true white grubs have a multi-year life cycle and should be scouted to protect future crops.

How’s Your SCN Resistance Holding Up?

June 22, 2015
SCN females on roots of SCN resistant soybean

By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology


Most SCN-resistant soybean varieties possess the same set of resistance genes from a breeding line called PI 88788. After years of repeated use, many SCN populations in Iowa have increased ability to reproduce on the common PI 88788 SCN resistance. The situation is discussed in this article as well as tips on how to check to see if it is happening in fields.

Diseases Showing Up in Iowa Corn

June 16, 2015
Typical northern corn leaf blight lesions

By Alison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Within the past week several foliar diseases have been reported in Iowa.

Equisetum: From the Ditch to the Field

June 9, 2015
Example of Equisetum genus

By Bob Hartzler, Department of Agronomy

Scouring rush and field horsetail are two species in the Equisetum genus. Although neither weed is highly competitive with corn or soybean, over time they can get dense enough to interfere with production.

Nitrogen Issues So Far This Spring

June 9, 2015
60 day percent of normal

By John E. Sawyer, Department of Agronomy


Across the state, generally there has not been excessive precipitation and much of Iowa has been below normal the past 60 days. A few areas have received more than normal precipitation, mostly in western to southwestern Iowa, some isolated areas in central to north central Iowa, and very eastern Iowa (see map).


Corn Rootworm Egg Hatch is in Progress

June 9, 2015
Corn rootworm larvae

By Erin Hodgson, Department of Entomology


Corn rootworm egg hatch is happening throughout Iowa and has reached a peak in southeastern counties. Assess larval feeding activity to make future management decisions.

Get to the Root of the Problem: An Easy Way to Check for SCN

June 3, 2015
SCN females on soybean root

By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology


After 35 years, SCN continues to be the most damaging pathogen of soybeans in Iowa and the Midwest. Digging soybean roots to check for the presence of SCN females is an easy and effective way to scout for this serious pest.

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