AMES, Iowa – Four new publications are available on the ISU Extension Store from the Crop Protection Network, representing the group’s first forays out of plant pathology by incorporating new disciplines into its available resources.
“These publications have given us the opportunity to bring in agronomists and entomologists, allowing us to provide all the information they need to make management decisions in one place,” said Daren Mueller, associate professor and extension specialist in plant pathology and microbiology at Iowa State University.
“Selecting a seed variety or treatment is not an easy decision. Our goal is to help farmers know this isn’t a decision that should be made based on a knee jerk reaction because of something that happened in their field last year. We want to make sure farmers are thinking about the best practices involved in making these decisions.”
Publication “Crop Management Considerations for Selecting Soybean Varieties” (CPN 4004 W) deals with the main factors that should be considered when selecting soybean varieties to plant. “Crop Management Factors to Consider Before Using a Soybean Seed Treatment” describes the factors that should be considered when deciding on the right soybean seed treatment for an operation.
The final two new publications deal with fungicide use – “Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Diseases” (CPN 2011 W) and “Optimizing Fungicide Use for Fusarium Head Blight (Scab) and Associated Mycotoxins” (CPN 3001).
“Fungicides aren’t all created equal, they should be used to help combat specific diseases,” Mueller said. “These two publications provide basic information on active ingredients in fungicides and the specific diseases they combat. Farmers know their field history and can see the issues that arise. They can then see what fungicides are available and make an informed decision.”
— Daren Mueller, ISU Extension and Outreach
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