Digital Corner

Once we have determined the source, the rate and where limestone is needed the application and incorporation methods are considered next. The soil test assumes we manage the top six inches of soil, all recommendations are based on this fact. With limestone it is important to thoroughly mix the application throughout the top six inches of the soil profile. In the past the recommendation was to disc it in then mold board plough to finish the mixing. Not a popular practice today. We rarely seeing ploughing, often discing, disc ripper of some kind and deep cultivation is done. What is the risk of not thoroughly incorporating limestone?

It comes down to two main outcomes. First a slow reaction to change the pH in the bulk of the rootzone. We may not see the effects of limestone application and resulting pH adjustments for a couple of years. Second a shallow incorporation in effect increases the effective rate of application in the top 2 to 3 inches and we run the risk of changing soil pH too much and induce a micronutrient deficiency such as manganese. The other risk is activating previously applied herbicides such as atrazine and causing crop damage to sensitive crops in the rotation. Decisions are often always a series of tradeoffs with risks attached. 

I often hear questions on applying limestone in no till conditions. The issue is obvious, no or little incorporation. Long term no till may require a different sampling strategy. It may be that only the near surface soil is acidic. If stratified sampling reveals the top 2 inches with a low pH then adjustments can be made to reduce the application rate and leave it on the surface to eventually work its way into the soil through field planting activities. However, the best option is to sacrifice no till practices for a year to properly incorporate the limestone. If that is not an option then applying half the rate of limestone every 2 years and then resample to check on soil pH changes.

Soil testing and paying attention to soil pH is the first order of activity. Proper soil pH controls nearly every aspect of 4 R Nutrient Stewardship because it determines nutrient availability, crop growth and performance. Current soil tests no older than 4 years and keeping them current, following recommendations from your trusted advisor at AGRIS Cooperative will keep your soils productive and the farm operation profitable.

We will be reaching out in the near future with a list of your fields that need a current soil test. One of the many benefits of working with AGRIS on data management. 

Article by Mark McKerrall

Crop Sales Specialist

AGRIS Co-operative

Thamesville

There are two types of bluegrasses that are showing up in our field crops in southern Ontario. One of the reasons for this proliferation and spread of these 2 grasses is the inconsistent control achieved from glyphosate use in herbicide-tolerant corn and soybean crops. The lack of residual herbicide use in you spray programs is another factor.

Annual bluegrass and roughstalk bluegrass are the most common bluegrass species that are showing up across the local landscape. It is important to be able to distinguish between the two as they are not controlled by the same herbicides.

Annual bluegrass (Figure 1)

Annual bluegrass (figure 1) grows in clumps; the leaf blades are smooth and light green. Annual bluegrass can act as both an annual and perennial life cycle. In southern climates a winter annual life cycle is most common. In northern climates, perennial biotypes exist which creep along the ground by way of stolons that root into the ground at each node. Both biotypes likely exist in Ontario and reproduce mainly from seed. Winter annual seed germinations tends to occur between September and October (60-80%) while the rest germinate in April through June. The seed of perennial biotypes can germinate throughout the season.

Roughstalk bluegrass (Figure 2)

Roughstalk bluegrass, as can be seen in (Figure 2) is a perennial the spreads along the ground by stolons that root at each node. As the name implies the leaf blades are rough in texture. It reproduces by roots and seeds. 

Control in cereals

If you have roughstalk bluegrass in a cereal crop you option for control is Axial herbicide. If you have annual bluegrass Focus herbicide prior to planting winter wheat provides good control. If annual bluegrass appears in established winter wheat, then control can be obtained by using Simplicity GoDRI. Emerged bluegrass species are more easily controlled when small, 2-4 inches tall, control can be reduced by up to 25% when spraying 10-inch-tall bluegrass.

Control in corn and soybeans

Annual Bluegrass

Glyphosate will control emerged annual bluegrass, but does nothing for late emerging new seedlings. Ontario research has show that by including soil-applied herbicides in your spray program you can reduce late-emerging seedlings and seed dispersal. Pyroxasulfone, the active found in Fierce EZ, Zidua SC, and Focus, works well on controlling new seedlings. These products in Ontario trials showed 80% control, when tank mixed with Sencor control was raised to 90% effective.

Zidua SC by BASF has recently added a post-harvest application for annual bluegrass which coincides with germination of winter annual biotypes. Trifluralin (eg. Treflan, Rival, Bonanza) is the only other herbicide with annual bluegrass on its label. It can be used in soybeans, dry beans and canola. 

Annual bluegrass control 8 weeks after application of Engenia + Zidua SC + glyphosate (left) compared to Engenia + glyphosate (right)

Roughstalk bluegrass

There is little to no research done in Ontario using Pyroxasulfone for control of seedling roughstalk bluegrass. Glyphosate if sprayed early spring is affective at controlling roughstalk bluegrass, but the later you delay application the control diminishes accordingly. In corn, nicosulfuron (eg. Accent) showed effective control. In soybeans high rates of quizalofop (eg. Contender, Assure II, Yuma) also showed good control.

So scout your fields this spring and if you see anything unusual or new weeds popping up on the horizon be sure to contact your AGRIS Co-op Crop sales specialist and we will be glad to assistance you. Have a safe and prosperous #plant2024.

Resource: Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA   

With May knocking on the door, crop season is right around the corner. Like most growers, you are firming up your crop plans and starting to have products you will be using for the season delivered.  Consider adding CropBooster OP and SoyBooster OP to those final plans.  Powered by Oligo Prime, CropBooster OP and SoyBooster OP contain four advanced technologies developed to enhance plant tolerance and recovery from herbicide-induced stresses in addition to other uncontrollable abiotic stresses.

These four advanced technologies are:

1.  Metabolic Signals: a bio-stimulant whose primary purpose is to reduce the impact from abiotic stresses

2. Fulvic Acid: a bio-stimulant which supports nutrient absorption, transportation and chelation in the plant

3.  C-Plex: a chelating agent which increases nutrient mobility in the plant

4.  Chitosan: a biopolymer which sends the plant into defense mode against abiotic stresses

SoyBooster OP

A specific blend of macro and micro nutrients for soybeans, which assists in improving flowering and plant growth and during reproductive stages.

Oligo Prime’s bio-stimulants help the movement and absorption of nutrients while defending against abiotic stresses such as low temperature, hail, drought, excessive rainfall, etc. while also triggering auxin production.  Specific micronutrients like cobalt and molybdenum were added to the blend to enhance nodulation formation and nitrogen fixation.  With multiple trials over the past couple of growing seasons, the addition of SoyBooster OP to your post-emergent herbicide pass have shown increased yields which resulted in increased revenues up to $20.00/acre.

Article by Jean Marc Guilbeault

Crop Sales Specialist

AGRIS Co-operative

Stoney Point

Crop Booster OP

Similar to SoyBooster OP, CropBooster OP is also powered by the same four advanced technologies which drive all Agro-100 products but is not designated for just one crop.  This formulation can be applied to many different crops to alleviate in-season stressors by increasing the plants tolerance and recovery from abiotic stresses when applying herbicides, as well as enhancing nutrient mobility and absorption in early season growth. Trials have shown that adding CropBooster OP to Group 27 HPPD inhibitor herbicides, which are commonly used in a corn program, have shown a positive yield increase of 6.6 bushels/acre on average across multiple trials since 2021.  Even though corn crops are is tolerant to Group 27 herbicides, there is still a chance of visual bleaching which can slow down crop growth.  Corn plants do have to take energy to metabolize herbicides into harmless compounds. CropBooster OP will increase crop tolerance to the chemical, while also decreasing recovery time if herbicide injury occurs. 

To sum it up, adding CropBooster OP and SoyBooster OP into your crop management plans offer promising solutions for enhancing plant resilience and optimizing yields. By harnessing the benefits of these advanced technologies, growers can bolster their crop resilience, increase yields, and ultimately drive profitability in the upcoming season.  For more information, contact your AGRIS Crop Sales  Specialists.

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