Why Do We Have So Much Vomitoxin In Corn?

Welcome back to another PCT Short. I’m Jonah Johnson. Across Ohio, we’ve been seeing quite a prevalence of ear molds this year two of the molds specifically that we’ve seen more prevalence of is Gibberella Ear Mold and then Fusarium Ear Mold. Both of these cause mycotoxins and we need to manage those appropriately once we’ve harvested those and take notes of where you may have these ear mold, especially if you have a high prevalence of those in your field.

First of all, Gibberella Ear Mold, it’s an ear mold that also causes Fusarium Head Scab in wheat or cause mycotoxins there as well. This is why we do not recommend having wheat planted after corn or vice versa. It’s typically a pinkish mold that forms on the tip of the ear. If you have hybrids that have tight husks, a lot of upright ears, a lot of water vector that it likes cool and humid conditions.

It is vectored through the silk channels typically. Thinking back to your weather conditions during pollination in early grain fill, that’s what could have vectored that disease. Now, on the flip side, Fusarium ear molds we’re seeing more of this year. This is typically vectored in any time you have insect feeding that penetrates through that husk covering on the ear, it can get in the tips of that.

It also can be vectored through the silk channels down the tip of the ear. But a lot of times when you see that, you’ll see in the images that you’ll have erratic expressions of those kernels looking pinkish white, and then you’ll get a fluffy mold at the tip of the ear as well. And so both these, again, can cause mycotoxins.

Once you harvest those, you want to get that grain dried down to 15% or a little less and cool down as fast as you can. And if preferably if you have hot spots in your fields and you have a lot of that grain, you want to try to isolate that in the bin. But if that’s not possible, get that grain condition quickly and then to keep that that disease from festering inside your bin.

For more on ear molds or any of the topics we discussed today, feel free to inquire here.

Top Three Foliar Feeding Products to Fuel Crop Health & High Yields

While it’s difficult to predict what the growing season holds, it’s important to approach each one with a mindset of maximizing yields and profits. This is especially key during challenging years when every bushel counts.

Looking ahead to the summer months, researchers at The Ohio State University predict diseases such as frogeye leaf spot in soybeans, gray leaf spot, Northern corn leaf blight and tar spot (a more recent disease occurrence in Ohio) have potential to be problematic in 2019. Many growers know that to stay ahead of disease, insect and weed infestations, one must scout and use timely applications of a crop protection product. Many may not be aware of the benefits that foliar feeding our crops can add to the mix.

PCT | Sunrise® FolrFeed® products are a critical part of filling in nutrition gaps left by traditional fertilizers. They stimulate growth and overall plant health so crops can better tolerate stress from weather, diseases and other yield challenging environments. To experience the best results, foliar feed applications should be applied during the V4-V7 stages in corn and V3-V5 in soybeans. Most can be tank mixed with a post-emergence herbicide or other crop protection products for application efficiency.

PCT | Sunrise® offers several custom options as part of the FolrFeed® and NutraBurst® lineup. Here’s a quick look at the top three to fuel yield potential and healthy plants this season:

FolrFeed® Soy Foliar LITE

This is a must have for late-planted soybeans, since beans planted after April grow faster due to warmer temperatures.  Plants that grow too quickly may not be able to take in the nutrients needed to combat stress and diseases. Soy Foliar LITE fuels development and disease resistance with a mix of N-P-K, boron, manganese, growth promoters and sugars. This formula reduces lodging, supports nodule development, plant branching and flower retention, while stimulating the plant’s immune system.

NutraBurst® Manganese 5%

Growers who use glyphosate for post applications on soybeans should consider NutraBurst® Manganese 5%. Manganese is important for photosynthesis and strong vegetative development. Since glyphosate has the potential to tie up manganese in plants, a foliar feed of this type can help offset potential deficiencies.

FolrFeed® Corn Foliar ZAMBI

ZAMBI is a mix of zinc, manganese and boron, with added plant growth regulators, in all promotes kernel-row development on ears and is critical for developing strong roots. This is worth considering for growers who may not have used zinc in their starter fertilizer or through commercial seed treatment.

Have a specific question about an issue or product? Contact a member of our agronomy team for help.

 

By Mike Cook, Agronomy Solutions Advisor