In this issue
Welcome to our 2006 publishing season
Latest news on soybean rust
Disease management sections added to Field Crops Bulletin, E-1582
Economic comparisons of commercial weed control programs available
Updates on the 2006 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops
Sprayer calibration is important
Farmer sprayer “Roundup” meeting
Michigan’s first Harvesting Agri-Energy conference

Welcome to our 2006 publishing season
Despite the freezing rain pelting MSU’s campus this morning, it is time to look ahead to the 2006 growing season. This issue includes an article about getting sprayers ready for the field and updates on weed management. MSU’s new field crop plant pathologist, Diane Brown-Rytlewski, has expanded the information available in recommendation bulletin E1582 and in this issue, presents an excerpt on seed treatments. She will be keeping you informed about soybean rust this season. You can read the national updates on-line at:
http://www.sbrusa.net/

Also on the Internet at the IPM Program’s web site, you can search the last five seasons of the Crop Advisory Team (CAT) Alerts: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/fieldCAT.htm

If you have suggestions related to the print or on-line version of these newsletters, please feel free to contact us at (517)353-4951 or catalert@msu.edu -- Joy Landis, editor and Rebecca Lamb, assistant editor

Last year, the national sentinel plot system worked very well to track the spread of soybean rust in the United States. This year, there will again be a national sentinel plot network, with a higher proportion of plots in the southern states, where soybean rust is found early in the season.

Work is underway now to determine locations for this year’s 20 plots in Michigan.

So far this year, rust has been found on kudzu in Florida, Alabama and Georgia, although some of the sites have since been killed by frost or removed. For an up-to-date report on scouting for rust in the sentinel plots, visit: http://www.sbrusa.net

Over the last two seasons we have conducted field trials that have examined the economics of commercial weed control programs in corn and soybeans that are currently being marketed to Michigan growers.

In 2004 and 2005 conventionally-tilled corn and soybean studies were conducted and in 2005 a no-till soybean study was added. These studies compared weed control, crop injury, yield, and the economic returns of dominant weed control programs being marketed to Michigan growers. Each major herbicide company was asked to submit up to four weed control programs for these studies based on soil type and weed infestation history at each site. Results comparing the different weed control programs are now available online as a pdf at the CAT Alert web site at:

Corn: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat06field/pdf/3-2corn.pdf
Soybeans: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat06field/pdf/3-2soybean.pdf
No-till soybean: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat06field/pdf/3-2notillsoybean.pdf

 The 2006 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops, Extension Bulletin E-434 is now available online at the CAT Alert web site at: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat06field/06weedguide.htm

Thanks to funding provided by Project GREEEN, the overall cost for a paper copy of the 2006 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops remained the same this year. Additionally, we are able to provide this guide on the web for your information with assistance from the MSU IPM Program. The guide provides the latest up-to-date information on weed management recommendations in corn, soybeans, small grains, forages (including a new section on Roundup Ready alfalfa), dry edible beans, potatoes, sugar beets and sorghum.

Other features include: an up-to-date table on the current glyphosate products that are labeled for use in Michigan, information on rain-free periods of different herbicides, instructions on how to submit a sample to the diagnostic clinic, and a complete table on crop rotation restrictions. Additionally, seven fact sheets on the management of hard-to-control weeds are included in the guide (p. 150-157). The fact sheets contain the most current recommendations for control of dandelion, white campion (white cockle), horseweed (marestail), wild carrot, Canada thistle, common pokeweed and hemp dogbane.

Additional information
Information on discontinued herbicides, new herbicides, and herbicides that were recently labeled that did not make the 2006 Weed Control Guide print deadline are updated below.

Corn (pages 17-50)
Discontinued herbicides. A few herbicides were removed from the guide because they are no longer marketed. The herbicides removed are: Basis Gold and Ready Master ATZ.

New herbicides. Gramoxone Inteon 2SL (p. 43), Sim-Trol 4L and Sim-Trol 90DF (p. 20) were the new herbicides added to the corn section.

Gramoxone Inteon 2SL is a new formulation of paraquat, which is set to replace the older Syngenta formulation of Gramoxone Max. Gramoxone Inteon contains 2 lbs paraquat/gallon whereas Gramoxone Max was a 3 lb/gal formulation. Both products are equally effective for weed control in burndown situations (See Table 1G for Gramoxone Inteon burndown rates). The main difference between the two products is that the Inteon formulation has new features to improve its safety profile.

The Sim-Trol products are generic simazine herbicides produced by Sipcam Agro. Rates, application timings, product remarks and limitations are similar to Princep.

Resolve DF (recently labeled; not found in the guide) is a rimsulfuron (25%) product from DuPont labeled for field corn only. The standard application rate is 1 oz/A and can be applied either preemergence or postemergence. It is recommended to use a 0.75 oz/A rate if sugar beets are included in the crop rotation. Maximum application rate per acre per season for Resolve DF is 2oz of formulated product (or 0.5 oz active ingredient rimsulfuron). Thus, be mindful of this maximum application rate if applying other rimsulfuron containing products such as Basis or Steadfast, for example. For controlling emerged weeds, Resolve DF must include a non-ionic surfactant and an ammonium nitrogen fertilizer (see label for rates). Postemergence application can be made to corn no taller than 12 inches or up to and including 5 leaf collars, whichever is more restrictive. Applications of Resolve DF to corn treated with the insecticides Counter, Lorsban, or Thimet may result in crop injury, especially if soil organic matter is less than 4%. For additional restrictions and limitations refer to the product label.

Stout (recently labeled; not found in the guide) is a blend of nicosulfuron (67.5%) and thifensulfuron (5%) from DuPont labeled for postemergence application to field corn only. No more than one application at a rate of 0.5-0.75 oz/A should be made per growing season. Stout can be applied to field corn that has a relative maturity rating of 88 days or more, with a maximum application height of 16 inches or exhibiting up to and including 5 leaf collars. Applications of Stout must include either a crop oil concentrate or a nonionic surfactant. Tank mix partners may suggest the use of additional spray adjuvants. Refer to the herbicide labels for specific rates of adjuvants. Applications of Stout to corn treated with the insecticides Counter, Lorsban or Thimet may result in crop injury, especially if soil organic matter is less than 4%. For additional restrictions and limitations refer to the product label.

New herbicides or new herbicide names. Seven new herbicide names appear in the soybean section of the guide: Cinch 7.64EC (p. 51), Stalwart 8EC (p. 51), Linex 4L (p. 54), Synchrony XP (p. 54 & 59), Targa 0.88L (p. 66), Sequence 5.25EW (p. 68), and Gramoxone Inteon 2SL (p. 69 & 71). Additionally, since the weed guide was printed there are two additional herbicides in soybeans that will be in the marketplace this spring, SelectMax 1EC and Canopy 75DF. Several of these herbicides are not new to the marketplace. In fact, none of these new herbicides contain new active ingredients.

Cinch 7.64EC is manufactured by DuPont and has been used in corn for a couple of years. This product is now registered in soybean and is similar to Dual II Magnum in that it contains s-metolachlor (resolved isomer) and the safener benoxacor. A typical application rate for Cinch is 1.33 pt/A (1.27 lbs ai/A).

Stalwart 8EC, a metolachlor product, is manufactured by Sipcam Agro USA. Unlike products like Dual II Magnum and Cinch, Stalwart contains the unresolved isomer forms of metolachlor (r- and s-metolachlor). The resolved or s-form of metolachlor is the more herbicidally active for or metolachlor. Stalwart also does not contain a safener; therefore this product should not be applied in corn. The recommended application rate of Stalwart is 2 pt/A, which is equivalent rate to 1.33 pt/A (1.27 lbs ai/A) of Dual Magnum.

Linex 4L is a liquid linuron (Lorox 50DF) formulation that is manufactured by DuPont. Linex may be applied early preplant (EPP) or preemergence (PRE). A typical application rate for Linex is 1.5 pt/A. Linex will provide good control of common lambsquarters (including triazine-resistant), pigweed, common ragweed, smartweed and wild mustard and fair control of giant ragweed, velvetleaf and several annual grasses. Linex should not be applied to coarse-textured sandy or sandy loam soils or on soils with less than 1.0% organic matter. Soybeans planted too shallow have an increased potential for injury. Do not apply Linex to emerged soybeans.

Synchrony XP (mp) 28.4XP is a premix formulation of chlorimuron (Classic) and thifensulfuron (Harmony GT) that can be applied preplant, preemergence or postemergence. Synchrony XP is an extruded paste formulation being marketed by DuPont that contains the same ratio of chlorimuron and thifensulfuron as Synchrony STS but has a lower percentage of active ingredients so a higher rate of Synchrony XP is needed to equal the same amount of active ingredient in Synchrony STS. Synchrony XP is a possible replacement for Canopy XL for burndown and preemergence applications in soybean. Synchrony XP preemergence is labeled at rates of chlorimuron that are comparable to Canopy XL. The use rates of Synchrony XP are 1 oz/A if the soil pH is between 7.1 and 7.6 and 1.25 to 3.0 oz/A if the composite soil pH is 7.0 or less. These applications should only be made to medium- and fine-textured soils with 1.5 to 4% O.M. and pH 7.6 or less. As with all herbicides that contain chlorimuron soil pH restrictions are important to consider for rotational crops. To compare Synchrony XP to Canopy XL, 1.5 oz/A of Synchrony XP would contain the same amount of chlorimuron as 3.5 oz/A of Canopy XL. Similar to Canopy XL, the benefits of the chlorimuron in preplant applications of Synchrony XP include residual control of several annual broadleaf weeds including pigweeds, common ragweed and velvetleaf. Additionally, chlorimuron aids in the burndown of a number of broadleaf weeds, particularly when combined with 2,4-D ester and/or glyphosate. To obtain maximum burndown activity the addition of 1% v/v of crop oil concentrate is required and again, the addition of 1 pt/A of 2,4-D ester is recommended (Remember, with 2,4-D ester a minimum of 7 days is needed between application and soybean planting.). The postemergence application rate for use in STS soybeans is 0.75 oz/A and this application should include 1% v/v of crop oil concentrate and ammonium sulfate. In non-STS soybean, do not apply more than 0.375 oz/A of Synchrony XP with 0.25% v/v of a non-ionic surfactant and ammonium sulfate. Unfortunately, since Synchrony XP contains two ALS-inhibiting herbicides it won’t control ALS-resistant marestail (horseweed), lambsquarters, pigweed or ragweed species. Additionally, eastern black nightshade will also not be controlled with Synchrony XP.

Targa 0.88L is a new product manufactured by Gowan Co. that contains quizalofop. The product is equivalent to Assure II and is applied at the same use rates for postemergence grass control.

Sequence 5.25EW is a premix being marketed by Syngenta that is a combination of s-metolachlor (Dual Magnum) and the full-loaded K⁺ formulation of glyphosate (Touchdown Total). Sequence can be applied preplant and preemergence in conventional soybean and postemergence in Roundup Ready soybean. This premix is designed to control existing weeds and provide residual control of grasses and some small-seeded broadleaf weeds, including pigweeds and nightshade. Do not apply Sequence to emerged soybeans unless the soybeans are designated Roundup Ready. Postemergence applications of Sequence in Roundup Ready soybean can be applied from soybean cracking up through the third trifoliate. Under certain conditions, postemergence applications may cause soybean leaf crinkling or necrotic leaf spots. These symptoms are cosmetic and should not affect soybean yield. The postemergence use rates of Sequence range from 2.5 to 3.5 pts/A. A typical postemergence use rate of 2.5 pts/A contains 0.94 lb ai/A of s-metolachlor (0.98 pt/A of Dual Magnum) and 0.70 lb ae/A of glyphosate (21 fl oz/A of Touchdown Total). As with all glyphosate products, ammonium sulfate (AMS) should be added to improve the consistency of weed control. Postemergence applications should not exceed 3.5 pts/A in a single application or per season. If Sequence is applied preplant or preemergence do not apply another s-metolachlor or metolachlor containing product postemergence to soybean.

Gramoxone Inteon 2SL is a new paraquat formulation being marketed by Syngenta. Gramoxone Inteon has an improved human safety profile compared with current paraquat formulations. Burndown application rates in soybean range from 2 to 4 pt/A depending on weed size (2.5 pt/A typical use rate). When used as a harvest aid, Gramoxone Inteon should not be applied until at least 65% of pods are mature and soybean seed moisture is less than 30%. Application rates for harvest aid applications range from 8 and 16 fl oz/A. All applications of Gramoxone Inteon require the use of a non-ionic surfactant at 0.125 to 0.25% v/v.

SelectMax 1EC is a new formulation of clethodim being manufactured by Valent that contains a built-in adjuvant package. This new formulation increases the flexibility in adjuvants that can be used when applying clethodim for postemergence grass control. Adjuvant choices include a crop oil concentrate or methylated seed oil at 1% v/v (but not less than 1 pt/A) or 0.25% v/v of a non-ionic surfactant for certain tank-mixtures. The addition of ammonium sulfate at 2.5 to 4 lbs/A may be added to improve control of difficult to control weeds. The typical use rate for SelectMax is 12 fl oz/A, however this rate may be reduced to 8 to 10 fl oz/A for most annual grass weeds in Michigan less than 4 inches in height. To control volunteer corn (4 to 12 inches tall) SelectMax should be applied at 8 fl oz/A. For tank-mixtures with glyphosate products specifically for control of volunteer Roundup Ready corn in Roundup Ready soybeans, ammonium sulfate should be included at 17 lbs/100 gallons of spray solution plus additional adjuvants that are recommended on the glyphosate label.

Canopy 75DF is a premix formulation of chlorimuron (Classic) and metribuzin (Sencor) that can be applied early preplant, preplant incorporated, or preemergence. Canopy is a replacement for Canopy XL for burndown and preemergence applications in soybean. Canopy’s labeled application rates range between 2.25 and 7 oz/A, however typical Michigan rates will generally be between 3 and 4 oz/A, unless the soil pH is above 7.0. If soil pH is between 7.1 and 7.6, the use rate of Canopy is 2.25 oz/A. Do not apply Canopy if the soil pH is greater than 7.6. As with all herbicides that contain chlorimuron, soil pH restrictions are important to consider for rotational crops. The rotation intervals are as follows: wheat 4 months, alfalfa 10 months, field corn 10 months, dry beans 12 months, and sugar beets 30 months. To compare Canopy to Canopy XL, 3 oz/A of Canopy would contain the same amount of chlorimuron as 3.5 oz/A of Canopy XL. Similar to Canopy XL, Canopy aids in the burndown of a number of broadleaf weeds. To obtain maximum burndown activity the addition of 1% v/v of crop oil concentrate is required and the addition of 1 pt/A of 2,4-D ester is recommended for control of horseweed (marestail) (Remember, with 2,4-D ester a minimum of 7 days is needed between application and soybean planting.). Canopy provides residual control of several annual broadleaf weeds including lambsquarters, pigweeds, ragweeds, smartweed, cocklebur, jimsonweed and velvetleaf.

Affinity BroadSpec (recently labeled; not found in the guide) is a 50% active blend of a 1:1 ratio of Harmony GT (Thifensulfuron-methyl) and Express (Tribenuron-methyl). Affinity BroadSpec can be used postemergence on wheat and barley and for fallow and preplant burndown. Standard application rate of Affinity BroadSpec is 0.75 oz/A and total amount of product applied should not exceed 1 oz per acre per growing season. When Affinity BroadSpec is applied alone a non-ionic surfactant should be included in the spray solution. This product can be applied after the crop is in the 2-leaf stage but before the flag leaf is visible. Since Affinity BroadSpec has little or no soil activity, applications should be made when the majority of weeds have emerged and are actively growing.

Dry edible beans (p. 102-110)
Four new herbicide names were added to the dry edible bean section for the guide: Stalwart 8EC (p. 104), Permit 75DG (p. 105), Targa 0.88L (p. 108) and Gramoxone Inteon 2SL (p. 109). All of these herbicides are described in the soybean section except Permit. Permit is the same herbicide as Sandea (halosulfuron), which has been in the dry bean section for the last two years. Additionally, this year we have included information on product safety in adzuki beans for each of the herbicides listed. From our research, if we have seen substantial injury from certain products, we have included a statement that reads “do not use on adzuki beans.”

Potatoes (p. 111-117)
The addition of Stalwart 8EC (p. 111) and Outlook 6L (p. 111) were the only changes in the potato section this year. As listed in the soybean section Stalwart is an unresolved metolachor product that can be used preemergence in potatoes. This last year Outlook (dimethenamid-P) was labeled for potatoes. This product has similar uses in potatoes as currently labeled metolachlor products. The recommended rate range for Outlook applications are from 12 to 18 fl oz/A on coarse-textured soils and from 18 to 21 fl oz/A on medium- to fine-textured soils. Applications under cold or wet conditions may result in delayed emergence or early-season stunting. Outlook will provide residual control of annual grasses, pigweeds and eastern black nightshade.

Sugar beets (p. 118-128)
Outlook 6L (dimethenamid-P) was registered for use in sugar beets during the 2005 growing season. Outlook is labeled for lay-by applications for residual control of annual grass and some broadleaf weeds once sugar beets have 2-fully expanded true leaves. In our experience, Outlook applications tend to cause less stunting if sugar beets have 4-true leaves. Broadleaf weeds controlled include: pigweed species and eastern black nightshade. Application rates range from 12 to 18 fl oz/A (course textured soils) and 18 to 21 fl oz/A (medium- or fine-textured soils). A typical use rate is 16 fl oz/A. Do not apply Outlook preemergence through the cotyledon stage or significant injury and possible stand reductions may occur. Applications of Outlook may be split between two application timings with a minimum of 14 days between applications, as long as the total maximum does not exceed 21 fl oz/A. In situations where Outlook is applied to sugar beets and a crop failure occurs due to adverse conditions, it is not recommended to re-plant sugar beets. Other crops, such as corn, soybean, or dry beans may be better follow crops.

Additional changes to the sugar beet section include the addition of Targa 0.88L (see soybean section), and the new rate structure that allows for higher Betamix applications in the different micro-rate applications (Table 1). The Progress micro-rate herbicide label also reflects changes in application rates for micro-rates. Typically increases in the Betamix or Progress rates will not increase weed control if micro-rate herbicide applications are adequately timed. Considerations in crop tolerance should also be made if you are thinking about applying higher Betamix and Progress rates, particularly when sugar beets are small.

Although Asian soybean rust did not affect Michigan soybeans in 2005, many farmers were spraying for weeds, soybean aphids and perhaps tank mixing manganese. March is an excellent time to “tune up” field crop ground sprayers for 2006. Does your farm sprayer have the capacity to handle multiple, or twin nozzles, higher spray pressure and can you raise and keep the spray boom level? Can you adapt your farm sprayer with taller and narrower tires to spray taller soybeans in narrow rows?

Farmers have learned that sprays for aphids must penetrate the top of the soybean canopy to reach the stem and undersides of leaves. Fungicide spraying for soybean rust will likely require more thorough leaf coverage and deeper into the foliage than does aphid sprays.

Proper placement of pesticides will vary and will be critical to achieve effective control of insects, weeds or diseases. Plant growth stage, canopy density, pesticide rates, carrier volume, application speed, operating pressure and nozzle selection will all be important factors to achieve proper application and therefore proper control of the pest.

Michigan Right-to-Farm Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices for Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control guidelines suggest that farm field crop sprayers needs to be calibrated at least once per growing season to be sure that they are in good working order and that the nozzles are applying the proper flow rate.

Farmers can check the ground speed and nozzle flow rate in an hour or less of a sprayer in good working order, the spray tank half full of water, and if you know the proper nozzle flow rate. I suggest a 200-foot length course to check the tractor ground speed. It will take 27 seconds to travel this course at 5 mph. Make sure the tractor is in the gear and throttle setting that you plan to use, run this course at least twice and be up to running speed when you get to the start marker.

To check the nozzle flow rate, have the tractor parked and engine running at the rpm that will be used for spraying. Turn on the spray booms and collect water from one nozzle for either 30 seconds or one minute. Then compare the ounces collected to the proper flow rate as given in ounces. Some nozzle packages tell the nozzle flow rate, or the company catalog will have a chart for the type of nozzle that you are using. Ideally the amount of water collected for each nozzle will be within five percent of the proper flow rate.

I also suggest purchasing a liquid-filled pressure gauge and install it in place of the outside nozzle tip for each boom. The spray pressure should be correct at the spray boom and not at the controls or tractor. It may be that there is a pressure drop in the system that will affect the proper spray rate.

Michigan State University Extension has a free calibration sticker that can be affixed to the sprayer that explains one simple calibration procedure. County Extension offices also may have bulletins dealing with sprayer calibration, and the Pesticide Applicator Core Training manual has some excellent calibration information.

Remember to write down the sprayer calibration date for Michigan Right-to-Farm record keeping. Right-to-Farm also suggests that farmers have a portable spill kit available for mixing and loading in the field.

Farmers need to be able to maximize the effectiveness of their farm sprayers, nozzles and other equipment for pesticide sprays to control insect, weed and diseases pests. Although Michigan did not have soybean rust in 2005, rust spores were captured in traps in two locations in Michigan last summer. And we did have soybean aphids for the third year of the past five years.

Hopefully Southwest Michigan’s farmers will not be in the fields on Thursday, March 30. This date has been set to have a farmer sprayer meeting to review nozzles, pumps, calibration and spray equipment associated with spraying pesticides, such as for insects and diseases.

This educational and demonstration meeting will be held at the 4-H Activity Center on the Monroe County fairgrounds. It will begin at 9:00 AM and will include lunch and four pesticide re-certification credits have been requested. The cost is $5, which includes lunch and materials. Farmers are also encouraged to bring one nozzle to have it checked on the new MSU spray table for the proper flow rate. The topics to be discussed include:

§      Spray table nozzle demonstration
§      Weed seedling identification exercise
§      “Old” sprayer problem identification exercise
§      Sprayer calibration exercise
§      Michigan Department of Agriculture presentation on Michigan Right-to-Farm for Pesticides
§      Invited company representatives demonstrating new products or equipment

This meeting is sponsored by Al’s Implement of Newport, Michigan Chief Sales, Ace Pumps, Hardi, Inc., the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and Monroe County MSU Extension. Interested persons can register with payment at either the Monroe County Extension office or Al’s Implement. For more information or directions, contact Ned Birkey at the Monroe County Extension office at 734-240-3170 or Al Van Washenova at Al’s Implement at 734-586-8528.

Growers and others interested in alternative energy are invited to attend the Harvesting Agri-Energy Conference on March 15 beginning at 7:30 AM at the Horizon Center in Saginaw, Michigan. The goals of the conference are to help agriculture learn more about alternative energy and to develop an agricultural alternative energy strategy for Michigan.

For more information call 989-799-4122 or for program and registration go to:
Program: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3308_3333_4169---,00.html
Registration: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/eforms/agrienergy2006registration.html