I have been asked by a few people about the differences in metolachlor (the active ingredient in Dual) products. The “old” Dual in the early 1990s was two isomers of metolachlor, R and S isomers. The Dual II included a safener to improve crop safety (improves safety to corn, not to broadleaf crops; hence Dual for broadleaf crops and Dual II for corn). [Read more…]
Commercial Ag Updates + Farm Food Safety
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Be Sure to Scout No-Till Fields Before Planting
The weather has not been favorable for maximum effectiveness of many postemergence (or burndown) herbicides. Cool weather and overcast skies are not ideal conditions for herbicide performance. And given that many fall and early spring emerging weeds can be difficult to control once the crop is planted, it is important to scout your no-till fields to determine if a follow up treatment is necessary prior to planting.
Sorting Out PPO Herbicides
PPO-herbicides (Group 14) used in this area include Sharpen, Valor, Authority, Reflex, Blazer, Cobra, Aim, and Cadet. In addition to the single active ingredients, there are a number of premixes containing these PPO herbicides. This group is quite varied so making generalizations about these herbicides is difficult. PPOs have gained popularity in the past few years to help combat herbicide-resistant weeds.
Here are a few points to know about these herbicides: [Read more…]
DE, MD Fields with Palmer Amaranth Resistant to Both Glyphosate and ALS-Inhibiting Herbicides
Last fall we collected seed from Palmer amaranth plants in Delaware and Wicomico County, Maryland and tested them for resistant to both glyphosate or ALS-inhibiting herbicides (Group 2). A few of the samples tested positive for resistance to both glyphosate AND ALS-herbicide. We used Pursuit in the initial trials, but past experience indicates that these biotypes are resistant to many other herbicides in this family. See the table below for list of common ALS herbicides in the region. [Read more…]
Soil Temperatures and Seedlings
We recorded 56-58°F temperatures from soils in various Central Jersey commercial vegetable fields on April 15 –Tax Day– just before the recent multi-day cold front rolled in. The good news is 56-58°F was higher than I anticipated.
What do soil temperatures have to do with your early vegetable seedlings?
- Mean spring soil temperatures determine early root growth and crop development.
- By tracking spring soil temperatures from your fields you’ll become a more profitable farmer.
- Matching your earlier warming fields to tolerant seedlings of vegetables found in the table below is worthwhile.
Spring Asparagus Production Notes
If you are planting a new field of asparagus or getting ready to harvest emerging spears, here are some thoughts:
Are you planting 1-year old crowns or did you seed cell trays and are going to plant seedlings? Remember, 1 year old crowns are planted and not harvested that year. In the second year, only harvest the field for 2 weeks. The third year you can being harvesting for a 6-8 week period after the crowns mature. If planting seedlings, do not harvest the year of planting or the year after. Then in the 3rd year harvest for 2 weeks, and after 4 years begin the 6-8 week cutting period.
Prolonged harvest seasons that go longer than 8 weeks can stress the plant that could lead to root and crop rot development. In addition to quality decline of fields, drought stress, pest pressure and inadequate fertility can cause poor vigor and yield loss. For more information on commercial asparagus production see the 2014 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations fro New Jersey.