Possible Causes of Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms in Corn

Several fields are showing what is believed to be nutrient deficiency. Several causes including weather, soil conditions, and nutrient availability may contribute to this symptom. Questions regarding whether the deficiency is due to processes within the plant, problems with root uptake, or an actual soil deficiency should be answered before making additional fertilizer applications this season.  Agronomic ALERT- Possible Causes of Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms in Corn

Maximizing Soybean Yield Potential

Achieving maximum soybean yield potential will likely depend on increases in stress tolerance, efficient use of all plant growth resources, and increased biomass production. A variety of agronomic practices have shown benefit to increasing soybean yield potential. Selecting what works best on your farm requires careful consideration and implementation.  Agronomic Spotlight – Maximizing Soybean Yield Potential

Cold Saturated Soil Effects on Corn Germination and Emergence

Plant-to-plant variability is common in fields that experience unfavorable conditions during emergence.

Corn planted this season could be exposed to cold temperatures and saturated soils. Soil that is saturated and cold can have a negative impact on corn germination and emergence. In addition, cold, saturated soils can cause other problems including surface soil crusting, compacted soils, and seedling diseases. If all of these factors occur, extensive emergence problems may take place. It is important to understand the impact of adverse environmental conditions on germination and emergence to help assess potential damage to corn. However, it is important to wait until the corn stand emerges and carefully evaluate before taking any action in planted corn fields.

Agronomic Alert – Cold Saturated Soil Effects on Corn Germination and Emergence

Soybean Seedling Diseases

Wet, poorly drained soils and air temperatures below 68° F can be typical during spring planting and crop emergence.  These characteristics favor the development of fungal pathogens that cause soybean seedling diseases. Germination and plant growth can also be reduced. It is important to take steps that may help prevent soybean seedling diseases and scout for these diseases after planting.   Agronomic Spotlight – Soybean Seedling Diseases

Planting a Range of Soybean Maturities

Stress can lower yield potential in soybeans, especially if the stress occurs during specific growth stages.  Planting a range of soybean maturities, that are adapted to your geography, can help reduce the risk of potential yield loss by spreading out flowering, seed fill, and physiological maturity.  Staggering soybean maturities can also maximize yield potential by spreading out the harvest work load. This may reduce the chance of harvest moisture becoming lower than desired while other fields are being harvested.

Agronomic Spotlight – Planting a Range of Soybean Maturities

Soybean Agronomic Videos

Here are some links to a few soybean agronomic videos posted on Monsanto Company’s YouTube site.

Soil Testing

Whether it is with site specific grid sampling, or more traditional methods, soil testing is the most useful means of determining what inventories of nutrients are available for crop production. In a period of rising fertilizer prices, soil testing allows a grower to prioritize fertilizer applications, and focus on inputs that will provide the greatest return in crop production.  AGRONOMIC Spotlight – Soil Testing

Reducing Soil Compaction This Spring

Roots affected by compaction.

Soil compaction can be a serious concern in moist soils, especially this spring when getting ready to start fieldwork. Compaction has become a problem in recent years due to an increase of field equipment size and weight. Damage to soil structure occurs when working too moist of soil. Compaction can negatively impact plant growth and development, and may ultimately reduce yield potential. Reducing the potential for compaction this spring can help avoid/prevent the negative impact of soil compaction on crops during the growing season.

AGRONOMIC Spotlight – Reducing Soil Compaction This Spring

Soybean Fertility: Functions, Deficiency, Management

Potassium deficiency symptoms in soybean.

Nutrients are required for water transport and photosynthesis processes, and protein and oil production in the plant. Nutrient deficiencies are one of the causes of leaf discoloration and/or chlorosis that might be observed in a soybean field and can decrease plant growth and reduce yield potential. It is beneficial to understand the function of a nutrient and identify deficiency symptoms to know when to apply corrective steps. Diagnoses from visible symptoms should be confirmed with results from soil tests and plant tissue analysis in some cases.

Agronomic Spotlight – Soybean Fertility: Functions, Deficiency, Management

Understanding Corn Test Weight

Test weight is a term that is often misunderstood. Confusion arises from the belief there is an economic benefit to high test weight grain and that high test weights contribute to yield. In reality neither of these perceptions is true.

Agronomic Spotlight – Understanding Corn Test Weight