Texas AgriLife in its Integrated Pest Management newsletter and AgriLife Extension Kerry Siders in Levelland reported on seasonal pests in various crops in Hockley, Lamb and Cochran counties.
Cotton ranges from just eight leaf squaring cotton (average is 4.5 true leaves). This wide range is reflective of the challenges the area has had on the West Plains. Various scenarios have played out over the last five to six weeks during planting and recent severe storm losses. It has been a real struggle for many to have a good stand. Scouting this last week found very little insect activity.
Some grasshoppers have been noted along field edges particularly near pastures and rangeland. Also, fleahoppers and very few Lygus were found in weedy field margins, mostly in barditches. The next few weeks will concentrate on monitoring square development, retention and detection of any square robbing pests, such as fleahoppers.
Weed control is all over the board. Unfortunately, this is a field-by-field prescription situation now in terms of technology in the plant for those using any tillage inseason, weeds present, the size of those weeds and available equipment. While pigweed is resistant to glyphosate (Roundup), it is still very effective against many other weed species. To-date Liberty has been working well when combined with humidity, use of AMS, and when weeds are not stressed.
Peanuts are generally doing well with most fields blooming. Maintaining a moist environment incanopy is difficult in high temperatures and windy conditions. The high humidity is necessary for blooms to pollinate and subsequently form pegs/ pods. Evaluating fields for nodule formation is a critical step in determining the effectiveness of the inoculation process at a plant. If nodulation is poor or inconsistent then a plan is needed for compensating with additional fertilizer applications. The priority now is to clean up weeds complete any cultivation in the next couple weeks, and irrigate.
Corn is generally doing well where sufficient irrigation is available, and storms have not caused severe damage. Observing mites is important in the current environment. Corn leafhoppers are present but remain in very low numbers with no indication of red stunt disease presence.
Grain sorghum ranges from just being planted behind failed cotton or even some first plantings. Those earlier plantings have seen few insect issues. Weed control is top priority. To reduce the risk of crop injury, Clarity (dicamba) or 2,4- D should be applied after all sorghum has emerged but before the height exceeds 8 to 10 inches.