Corn is moving through growth stages quickly, and April planted corn is at or approaching tasseling in many fields across the state. Pre-tassel and tasseling fungicide applications are common, although fungicide use in corn is not always an automatic decision.…

Problem The soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a relatively new pest in soybean. Although some findings have been reported since 2011 (CropWatch), large populations were noticed in plants located at the edges of soybean fields by late…

Seedcorn maggots (Figure 1) in corn and soybeans are typically observed during cool and damp seasons and in sites with organic rich soils (manure can be a source of this), including fields with reduced tillage or decaying residue from the…

There have been reports of cutworm activity in field crops this spring. Cutworms (Figure 1), combined with slow plant growth due to cool weather, have the potential to result in increased damage to seedlings in some fields.  Corn and soybean…

Current Situation in Field Crops Rainy and cloudy days with soggy and cool nights are favorable for mollusk activity. These conditions describe the current weather in Kentucky, which has been conducive to the damage these organisms are causing to soybean…

Wheat fields will soon be at the anthesis stage (Feekes 10.51, “flowering”) in Kentucky.  Anthesis is a critical time, as wheat becomes susceptible to infection by Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB; also known as scab) (Figure…

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Figure 1) causes greater annual yield losses in Kentucky than any other pathogen of soybean.  The last time a formal survey was conducted by the University of Kentucky in 2006 and 2007, approximately 76% of…

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Figure 1) causes greater annual yield losses in Kentucky than any other pathogen of soybean.  The last time a formal survey was conducted by the University of Kentucky in 2006 and 2007, approximately 76% of soybean…

The University of Kentucky is a partner in the Crop Protection Network (CPN), which develops tools to help farmers, ag industry, and researchers with crop protection decisions. The CPN is a partnership of university Extension specialists across the United States…

Status of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Kentucky Halymorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) known as brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), is a polyphagous invasive species of Asian origin that feeds on more than 100 plant species in the U.S. Initially,…

Several stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) species (Figure 1) are key pests of soybeans in Kentucky. They include the green stink bug (Chinavia hilaris), brown stink bug (Euschistus spp.), southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula), brown marmorated stink bug (Halymorpha halys)…

Scouting reports across Kentucky this week have indicated that farmers need to be aware of stalk rots and ear rots as they prepare for and begin corn harvest. Pockets of fields scouted across the state have stalk rot issues that…

Over the past few weeks, there have been increased reports of spotting on corn leaves across the state. Symptoms include tiny tan to brown spots with a darker brown margin (Figure 1). These spots can be just a few spots…