Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
March 18, 2014

• Syngenta recommends proactive integrated management plan to maximize wheat quality and yield potential
• Wheat seeded into idle acres at higher risk for fallow syndrome
• New SY Rowyn spring wheat variety offers consistent yield and test weight potential with Fusarium head blight tolerance

Following a wet fall, Syngenta reminds spring wheat growers to implement a proactive integrated crop management plan to ensure optimal stand establishment and protect against yield-robbing soilborne diseases. Fields in the Northern Plains ended 2013 fairly wet due to emerging signs of a Polar Vortex. When wet fall fields are paired with a wet spring, this can mean an increase in yield-robbing soilborne diseases. It can also lead to an uptick in the number of unplanted fields, and those idle sections of farmland are more susceptible to nutrient deficiencies that can impact operations beyond just this year.

“Because of the back-to-back wet planting seasons, wheat fields in the Northern Plains are susceptible to devastating soilborne diseases like Rhizoctonia and seed scab, not to mention yield-robbing underground insects and harmful nutrient deficiencies,” said Corey Dathe, Northern Plains wheat key account lead for Syngenta. “The potential for these issues is difficult to predict, but planning ahead helps mitigate risk of crop damage and, ultimately, grow more wheat.” One issue of particular concern this spring is fallow syndrome. Fallow syndrome is a nutrient deficiency caused by a lack of mycorrhiza fungi in the soil. This fungus is found in most soils, has a symbiotic relationship with plants and is especially important for grass crops like wheat. Mycorrhiza fungi need living plant roots to flourish and, in return, act like an extension of the plant roots, helping them absorb more nutrients. Fungi population goes down rapidly in a year with little plant growth.

Shana Pederson, area extension specialist, North Dakota State University, saw many acres left unplanted in 2013 due to wet conditions. She urges growers planning to seed into these acres this spring to closely monitor their soil nutrient levels.

“If you’re looking to plant wheat into previously idle acres, pay close attention to soil tests. Fields that have been idle may have lost nutrients, specifically phosphorous,” Pederson said. “By watching nutrient levels, you can apply more fertilizer to correct possible nutrient imbalances before it impacts your crops.”

In addition to soil testing to ensure adequate nutrients are present, Syngenta agronomists offer the following recommendations to ensure optimal stand establishment and maximum yield potential:

• Clear fields of residual weeds: Two weeks before planting, it is important to establish a clean field. If not, diseases and insects living in previous crop residue or remaining weeds can travel to newly emerging wheat and other spring crops. For optimum weed control, Syngenta recommends applying a quality burndown, pre-plant or pre-emergence herbicide, such as Gramoxone® SL 2.0, which delivers broad-spectrum control of broadleaf and grass weeds. Beginning the season with a clean field gives crops the best chance for a uniform start.
• Select fresh, clean certified seed to address local challenges: AgriPro® brand certified wheat seed from Syngenta is locally bred for a region’s specific challenges to provide consistent performance under real-world pressure. New SY Rowyn, a broadly adapted hard red spring wheat variety with good straw strength, will be available to growers this year. Joe Smith, Syngenta spring wheat breeder for the Northern Plains said, “SY Rowyn offers higher tillering, an excellent disease package and consistent high yield and test weight potential. This robust, semi-dwarf variety offers some of the best Fusarium head blight tolerance in the Northern Plains. SY Rowyn is well-suited for growers in Minnesota through the western edge of North Dakota looking to increase yield potential.”
• Protect your seed from the start: Be sure to protect wheat crops with a quality seed treatment like CruiserMaxx® Vibrance® Cereals seed treatment insecticide/fungicide. For growers in the Northern Plains battling diseases and insects below the soil surface, an application of CruiserMaxx Vibrance Cereals helps protect wheat seeds from wireworms and yield-robbing soilborne disease like Rhizoctonia so that they start healthy.

Website: http://www.syngenta-us.com

Published: March 18, 2014