Agricultural News
Data Supports Tank Mixing Insecticide With Top Dressed Nitrogen Application on Wheat, Says OSU's Tom Royer
Wed, 13 May 2020 11:52:50 CDT
Research at Oklahoma State University's Lahoma wheat test fields show it is beneficial to top-dress wheat in early spring with an application of nitrogen. Dr. Tom Royer, OSU Extension entomologist went one step further and added a tank mixed insecticide to the nitrogen application. During the recent OSU wheat field day at Lahoma Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd talked with Royer about his research.
Royer said he was skeptical about the extra application because he didn't think it was necessary.
That's one of the things we think about with integrated pest management is that you don't make a pesticide application if you don't have a need for it, Royer said.
However, the data shows it really does pay, Royer said.
One reason it is beneficial is it saves a trip by combining the top-dressing application.
The jury is still out on exactly why it is so beneficial beyond the efficiency saving trip, and more research is needed, he said.
It could depend on what Mother Nature throws at the producer as the OSU scientist said every year is different and this year there has not been a strong insect presence in Oklahoma wheat fields.
Its been pretty quiet, Royer said, as the biggest insect issue this year was early in the growing season with fall armyworms in western Oklahoma wheat fields.
Royer cautions against using insecticides when it is unnecessary as it is expensive and could lead to resistant insects.
"When you consistently do something like that for years, you start selecting for pesticide resistant mites or aphids," Royer said. "We want to avoid that."
To that end, scientists have developed several new insecticide tools that are environmentally friendly.
One of the great ones we have seen is for grain sorghum producers who have problems with sugar cane aphids, Royer said.
There is also a new insecticide product that works specifically on caterpillars like fall armyworms and doesn't have any impact on natural enemies that are already out in the field, he said.
You can hear KC's complete interview with Royer by clicking on the listen bar below.
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