http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~corn/ 
 

CORN
Crop Observation and Recommendation Network

For November 30 through December 6, 1998
C.O.R.N. 98-32

In This Issue:

A) Ohio Soybean Performance Trials on the Web
B) Results of the 1998 High Oil Corn TC Blend® Performance Test
C) "Take the Test, Beat the Pest" Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) Update
D) First Year Corn Rootworm Biotype Found in Low Numbers
E) Overwintering Field Corn Pests
F) Aeration and Inspection are Key Stored Grain Management Tools

A) Ohio Soybean Performance Trials on the Web    CORN Questions

The 1998 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials are now available on the web at
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf/soybean98/index.html.  Printed versions of the trials will be sent out in the next issue of Ohio's Country Journal and should be received by subscribers soon.  The publication will also be available at Extension Offices shortly.
 

B) Results of the 1998 High Oil Corn TC Blend® Performance Test  - 
Peter Thomison and Alan Geyer  CORN Questions

High oil corn acreage in the U.S. has increased from less than 50,000 acres in 1992 to over one million acres in 1998.  High oil corn contains 11/2 to 2 times more oil as well as higher quality proteins than normal yellow dent corn.  High oil corn is attractive as a livestock feed because it has greater energy value than normal yellow dent corn and can replace more expensive dietary sources of fats and proteins. Contract production of high oil grain may offer corn growers higher profits  through premiums. The TopCross® grain production system licensed by Optimum Quality Grains, L.L.C. (hereafter referred to as Optimum)  is rapidly gaining popularity as the preferred method of producing high oil corn. TheTopCross system minimizes the yield disadvantage associated with conventional high oil corn hybrids while enhancing grain nutrient composition.

In 1998 two Ohio locations were selected to compare high oil corns, primarily TC Blend seed products used in TopCross grain production in response to increasing interest in high oil corn production among growers as well as seed companies. The major objective of these tests were to evaluate the agronomic performance and grain quality characteristics (i.e. oil content) of TC Blends adapted to Ohio growing conditions and commercially available to corn growers.

The high oil corn tests were established at the OSU-OARDC Western Branch Research Farm near South Charleston in southwest Ohio and the OSU-OARDC Northwest  Branch Research Farm near Hoytville in northwest Ohio. Sixteen high oil TC Blends representing nine different seed companies were planted at each site. The normal grain parents of three of the TC Blend entries were included in the trials as checks.

Grain yields of TC Blends ranged from 143 to 167 Bu/A at Hoytville and 188 to 210 Bu/A at S. Charleston TC Blend yields averaged about 4% and 10% less than yields of the normal checks at S. Charleston and Hoytville, respectively. At Hoytville, the top yielding normal hybrid yielded significantly more than the TC Blends; but yields of several TC Blend entries did not differ significantly from the other two normal checks. Over half the TC Blend entries produced yields that were not significantly different from the top yielding TC Blend. At S. Charleston, yields of seven TC Blends were not significantly different from the top yielding normal hybrid. The grain yields of most TC Blends were not significantly different from the top yielding TC Blend.

TopCross grain produced by the TC Blends was characterized by higher oil content than grain of normal corn hybrids (7.1% vs. 4.6% at Hoytville, 7.2% vs. 4.0% at S. Charleston). There were significant differences in grain oil content among the 16 TC Blends at each location with oil levels ranging from 6.5% to 7.8% at Hoytville and 5.8% to 8.0% at S. Charleston.  Estimates of metabolizable energy for non-ruminants were consistently greater in TopCross grain than in grain of normal hybrids. Grain protein levels of TopCross and normal grain were comparable at Hoytville but protein levels were higher in grain of normal corn than in TopCross grain at S. Charleston. Estimates of lysine content were higher in TopCross grain than in grain of  normal corn hybrids at both locations. Starch levels were lower in TopCross grain compared to grain of normal corn.

Full results of  the 1998 high oil corn evaluation will be available in Extension Fact Sheet AGF-136 (which has been submitted for publication and posting on the web).  TopCross®, TC-Blend® and Optimum® are registered trademarks of Optimum Quality Grains, L.L.C.
 

C) "Take the Test, Beat the Pest" Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) Update 
- Nancy Taylor and Mac Riedel  CORN Questions

The "Take the Test, Beat the Pest" soybean cyst nematode (SCN) monitoring program is funded by the Ohio Soybean Council using Soybean Checkoff dollars.  Interest has remained high through November.  Samples continue to arrive in the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic and
processing of samples is proceeding in an orderly manner.

Keep in mind that the recommended size for a soybean cyst nematode soil sample is four cups of soil. Smaller samples will be processed, but the accuracy of results may be reduced.

Participants in the program should be aware that test results must be sent directly to the soybean grower.  Be sure that the soybean grower's name and address appear in the 'Grower Information' portion of the specimen form. Members of affiliated industries that want a copy of the results can attach a business card or write an additional mailing address somewhere on the front portion of the form.

If results are to be sent only to a member of an affiliated industry, normal costs for processing nematode samples apply.  These costs are currently $15.00 for the first sample and $10.00 for each additional sample in a given shipment of soil samples.

A total of 1,162 soybean cyst nematode samples were processed from Jan. 1, 1998 through Nov. 1998.  Samples results for the period have been summarized into four categories and are listed below.

Some higher counts during November include (eggs per 200 cc. soil): For more information on soil sampling for SCN, please visit the SCN Coalition Web page. 

D) First Year Corn Rootworm Biotype Found in Low Numbers 
- Hal Willson  CORN Questions

From mid-July to late August, a cooperative effort by independent crop consultants, agri-business representatives, farmers and Extension personnel monitored rootworm activity in over 580 soybean fields and more than 30 corn fields. The primary objective of the survey effort was to determine the potential for first year corn rootworm biotype in Ohio. Adult rootworm activity in the soybean fields was measured using yellow Pherecon AM sticky traps monitored on a biweekly schedule.  In addition, a number of adjacent first year corn and soybean fields were also sampled using Multigard sticky traps, visual counts, and sweep net sampling.

In general, the survey demonstrated that the potential for first year corn rootworm problem is very low throughout most of the State.  A few counties in northwest Ohio  (Williams to Van Wert) bordering Indiana exhibited average trap catches of western corn rootworm (WCR) that indicate a possible problem in first year corn following soybeans.

The University of Illinois suggests a threshold of two or more WCR adults caught per trap per day represents potential economic injury in first corn following soybeans. Using this threshold, only one field out of the entire 582 soybean field sites monitored actually indicated rootworm activity capable of causing economic injury. A number of sites monitored in counties west of I-75 exhibited some WCR activity indicating the possible presence of first year corn rootworm, but the collection of WCR adults was generally less than 10% of the threshold of two beetles per trap per day.

Comparison of trap catches in first year corn and soybeans on farms monitored in both 1997 and 1998 demonstrated that WCR adult activity in corn was down about 50% and 75% or more in soybeans.  In summary, adult rootworm activity in Ohio was very low during the past year and it may be assumed that the potential for rootworm problems in first year corn in 1999 should be minimal in most of the State.
 

E) First Year Corn Rootworm Biotype Found in Low Numbers 
- Hal Willson  CORN Questions

On Friday following Thanksgiving, I took a brief walk into a no-till corn field on the OSU campus.  The corn stubble was standing in a solid green carpet of broadleaf weeds. Needless to say, one may wonder about the potential for various pests to survive the forthcoming winter, since the fall season has been abnormally mild.

At this point in time, rootworm eggs are presumably in a dormant stage in the soil where they were deposited during the months of August and September.  Adult rootworm numbers throughout Ohio were very low at that time.

European corn borer (ECB) overwinter as late instar larvae in corn stubble. A low level of 2nd brood ECB activity were observed in summer 98 and very low numbers numbers of overwintering larvae of ECB are currently present. In the fall of 1997, ECB cavities in stalks examined in trials at the Western and Northwestern branch stations averaged about one cavity per stalk. Examination of stalks for ECB injury in 1998 trials detected about one cavity per ten stalks.  In summary, the overwintering activity of ECB will be very low and the potential for first brood ECB problems in 1999 is minimal.  If weather conditions are favorable next year, a second brood problem may develop primarily in late-planted corn.

Other pests of corn may or may not be influenced by the forthcoming winter. If the winter is as mild as last year, a problem of Stewart's wilt transmission may be associated with flea beetle activity.  In addition, a mild winter may lead to slug problems in no-till corn if linked with cool and wet spring conditions.  As for cutworm problems, the black cutworm overwinters in the southern states and spring weather conditions will determine whether northern migration activity is significant or not. However, the current growth of weeds in corn fields may be a factor in cutworm establishment next spring.  This issue will be addressed in spring issues of the Crop Observation and Recommendation Network.
 

F) Aeration and Inspection are Key Stored Grain Management Tools 
- Hal Willson  CORN Questions

The combination of a good harvest and low prices has resulted in an above average amount of grain being stored in on-farm bins.  If fall weather was normal, daytime temperatures would be 10 to 20 degrees cooler and timely aeration would have cooled the grain down to a point the development of
insect pests in stored grain would be minimal.  However, both day and night time temperatures have been above normal, and grain temperatures in some bins may be at a level where development of stored grain insect populations could be a problem.

Inspection of grain stored should be implemented to detect development of stored grain pests. If a pest problem is detected, fumigation may be warranted - especially if the pests detected are weevils. If the problem detected is primarily secondary insect pests such as fungus beetles, the problem may be corrected by rapid cooling of the grain during periods of cool temperatures. If an Indian meal moth problem is detected, the problem is likely limited to the grain surface area and a surface treatment with a grain protectant (Actellic on corn or Reldan on wheat) may be warranted. If an Indian meal moth problem is detected early, a Bt treatment (Dipel or equivalent) will also reduce the infestation.

Whether an insect problem is detected or not, every effort should be made to cool down grain in storage.  Insect activity in grain declines when grain temperatures drop to a range of 50 F to 55 F.  Cooling grain to temperatures below 40 F arrests insect development.  Insects in stored grain will begin to die if grain temperature is reduced to 35 F or less.  In summary, timely aeration and grain temperature management is an optimal method for minimizing grain pest problems.
 

Readers can subscribe electronically to this newsletter by sending an e-mail message to: listserv@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu with the message: subscribe corn-out. A successful subscription message will receive a reply from listserv. Contact your local Ohio State University Extension Office or e-mail labarge.1@osu.edu if you have problems subscribing.

Past versions of C.O.R.N. can be found on the World Wide Web at: http:/www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~corn/archive/

C.O.R.N. is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio Crop Producers and Industry. C.O.R.N. is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, State Specialists at The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. C.O.R.N. Questions are directed to State Specialists, Extension Associates, and Agents associated with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at The Ohio State University.

Contributors to C.O.R.N. this week include:
STATE SPECIALISTS: Pat Lipps & Anne Dorrance (Plant Pathology),  Hal Willson (Entomolgy), Peter Thomison (Corn Specialist); Nancy Taylor (C.Wayne Ellett Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic), and Mac Riedel (Plant Pathology).
EXTENSION AGENTS: Larry Lotz (Fayette), Woody Joslin (Shelby), Greg LaBarge (Fulton), Gary Wilson (Hancock), and Barry Ward (Marion)

Editor: Greg LaBarge            Web Editor: Steve Lichtensteiger

Information presented above and where tradenames are used, they are supplied with the understanding that nodiscrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.

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