New Pesticide Data Program Summary (Prostko)

 I am always on the hunt for positive information about the use and need for pesticides in agriculture.  In November of this year, the USDA/AMS released its Pesticide Data Program's 33rd Annual Summary (2023).  This report provides high-quality data on pesticide residues in food, particularly foods most likely consumed by infants and children.  A few highlights of this report are as follows:

1) 9,832 food samples were collected.

2) Fresh and processed fruit and vegetables tested during 2023 were: almonds, apples, avocados, baby food applesauce, baby food carrots, baby food green beans, baby food peaches, baby food pears, baby food peas, baby food sweet potatoes, blackberries (fresh and frozen), celery, grapes, mushrooms, onions, plums, potatoes, sweet corn (fresh and frozen), tomatillos, tomatoes, and watermelon.

3) More than 99% of the samples tested had residues below the tolerances established by the EPA with 38.8% having no detectable residue.    

4) Residues exceeding the tolerance were only detected in 0.49% of the total samples tested.

5) A residue is any amount of pesticide that remains after an application.  A tolerance is the maximum amount of residue that may remain in or on food marketed in the US.  The US EPA determines the maximum residue levels (MRL’s) or tolerance of pesticides in food products based upon a standard 100-fold margin of safety to protect all people and the environment.  In addition to this base margin of safety, the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 imposed an additional 10-fold safety factor to protect infants and children, unless sufficient evidence is presented to reduce.    

6) A copy of the complete report can be obtained from the following web-site:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2023PDPAnnualSummary.pdf

Corteva Enlist® Training (Culpepper/Prostko)

We just wanted to make you aware of the fact that Corteva will be hosting several Enlist® training meetings in AL, GA, and SC.  Topics to be covered include tank-mixing, nozzle selection, sprayer cleanout, weather, and field planning.  Since the dicamba cotton/soybean labels are currently vacated, it is likely that we could see more use of Enlist® One (2,4-D choline) and Enlist® Duo (2,4-D choline + glyphosate) in both cropping systems.  For more information about the Enlist® weed control system, check out the following web-site: Enlist.com

Post-Harvest Tropical Spiderwort/Benghal Dayflower Control (Prostko)

Field corn growers who do not control tropical spiderwort/Benghal dayflower in the fall after harvest are missing a HUGE opportunity to reduce seed-rain back into a field.  Failure to control this plant in the fall is one reason why many Georgia growers continue to have major problems with this weed.  

Check out the following data/pictures from a test that we currently have in a Grady Co. harvested corn field (Thanks Cale!).  You will note that the most effective treatment at this time was a split application of Gramoxone 3SL @ 32 oz/A + Induce @ 0.25% v/v.  I would expect better control from the other treatments if they would have been applied earlier to smaller plants and/or also included a COC or MSO (I was trying to save $$ and determine if a tank-mix with a "loaded" glyphosate would be adequate).   

Since we are not likely to get a hard freeze until ~November 15 in south GA, there is still plenty of time left for tropical spiderwort/Benghal dayflower to produce viable seed.  Viable/ripe seed can be produced within 14 to 22 days after aerial flower opening.  Additional information about the post-harvest control of tropical spiderwort/Benghal dayflower can be found on page 74 of the 2024 UGA Pest Control Handbook.

Newer county extension agents might also want to print out this publication that the UGA Weed Science Team wrote a few years ago.  It's still very relevant.

https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%20884_2.PDF

Soybean Desiccation/Harvest Aid Reminders (Prostko)

Recently, I have been getting a few inquiries about soybean desiccation and harvest aids.  A few reminders.

1) Official soybean harvest aid rec's from from the 2024 UGA Pest Control Handbook (pages 263-264);

https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/SB%2028-28_2.PDF

2) Check out these previous UGA Weed Science Blogs where I addressed this topic:

October 13, 2014:

https://ugaweedscience.blogspot.com/2014/10/avoid-early-harvest-aid-applications-in.html

October 28, 2018: 

https://ugaweedscience.blogspot.com/2018/10/do-harvest-aid-applications-of-paraquat.html

3) Check out these newer publications from LA and MS. In 2024, these two states collectively planted ~3.42 million acres of soybeans and my colleagues in these states have done a significant amount of research on this topic. Thus, they might know what they are talking about.  

    Louisiana State University: 

https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/5/f/c/e/5fce06f97b891599afaab6b0d6fc3963/p3885_desiccatingsoybean_rh723pdf.pdf

    Mississippi State University

https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/P3916_web.pdf

4) Friendly reminder that I am more than happy to spend a day in any county looking at problems and/or teaching/coaching weed science.  Just give me a call (229-392-1034).  Out of town this week at a weed science meeting but after that my schedule is very flexible.

Peanut Weed Control Update - July 22 (Prostko)

 I thought you might be interested in a few pictures from our peanut weed control plots taken earlier today.

A few comments: 

1) UGA's recommended weed control program [a) starting clean, b) planting in twin rows, c) using multiple residuals at planting that get activated by irrigation and/or rainfall, and d) making timely (34 DAP) POST applications] looks very good as usual.  This location has received 14.12" of rainfall since May 1 (3.56" above average) and the residual herbicides have lasted longer than anticipated.  

2) Once again, I see no significant differences in weed control between Prowl or Sonalan-based weed control programs.

3) The only tweeks to this program would be the addition of either Cobra or Ultra Blazer to the Cadre + 2,4-DB + Dual Magnum POST treatment.  Also, could use other Group 15 herbicides depending upon grower preference (Anthem Flex, Outlook, Warrant, Zidua).  Remember, Cobra has performed better on larger pigweeds than Ultra Blazer.

4) Generally, peanut growers have all the tools that they need for weed control (except for perennial broadleaf weeds).  Just have to figure out a better way for them to be more timely?  

Carpetweed in Peanut (Prostko)

I have been getting lots of questions recently about the control of carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata) in peanut.  Check out these pictures from Ben Reeves (Berrien Co.) who sent them to me earlier today. 

A few things to chew on:

1) Carpetweed is summer annual weed native to the U.S.

2) Other common names for this weed include green carpetweed, Indian chickweed, whorled chickweed, and devil's grip. 

3) Carpetweed is listed as a controlled weed on EVERY peanut herbicide label except for Basagran (bentazon), Butyrac (2,4-DB), Classic (chlorimuron), Strongarm (diclosulam), and the POST grass herbicides [Fusilade (fluazifop), Poast (sethoxydim), and Select (clethodim)]. So...?

4) No confirmed cases of herbicide-resistance in carpetweed have been reported worldwide. (https://www.weedscience.org/summary/species.aspx)

5) Carpetweed has been in my research plots for 15+ years.  I have never failed to control it with my recommended peanut weed control programs (http://www.gaweed.com/newest-prostko-2024-control-peanut-corn-soy.pdf).

6) Possible reasons for lack of carpetweed control in 2024 are as follows:

a) Too wet?  Residual herbicides do not last as long; growers cannot get into fields on timely basis; unexpected pop-up showers occur before rain-free period is reached. 

b) Too dry? Residual herbicides do not get activated on a timely basis; big weeds + dry weather are a POST herbicide's Achilles heel.

c) Reduced herbicide rates?  Many growers are not using full labeled rates of herbicides such as Cadre (imazapic) to help prevent carryover in 2025.  We proved many years ago that this strategy does not really work.  Cotton will find Cadre in the soil when a lab analysis will not.  More importantly, when reduced rates are used and less than 100% weed control is obtained, the evolution of herbicide-resistance is greatly increased.  Yes, we can control some weeds with reduced herbicide rates (i.e. bristly starbur/Strongarm) but this tactic does not work for every weed and every herbicide. 

An Interesting Exchange (Prostko)

Thought everyone might benefit from this recent text conversation that I had with one of the best peanut/cotton growers in the state of Georgia.  Here it is. 

Grower Question?

Do you think I can apply this product [Ag-Min (30% Mn + 15% S)] with 2,4-DB?

.  

Prostko Response:

There have been some issues in the past with Mn + DB.  See below.   Also, my colleague at NC State University (Dr. David Jordan) has seen some problems as well. Last few years some weird stuff has happened.  Might be better to co-apply with fungicide.

 

Recent NC State Blog (07/03/24): 

https://peanut.ces.ncsu.edu/2024/07/manganese-and-24-db-peanut-notes-no-135-2024/

Grower Response 1 Day Later:

So I rolled the dice.  I have the ability to circulate my mixing vat to fully dissolve dry matter.  Also, my sprayer has good agitation.  I am running 15 GPA, so probably a more diluted spray solution that most.  I still made polyester.  I am telling you, not to admit that I am an idiot for not heeding your warning, but so that you can tell others that ask.  It's absolutely a no go!

Prostko Response 1 Day Later:

At least you were wearing PPE!