Managing White Mold in 2010

The 2009 season had record cool weather in July that was ideal for soybean white mold development. This disease was widespread in the north central region of the country.


In fields that had heavy white mold in 2009, no-till is the best tillage option. Tilling these fields with bury the sclerotia in the soil which increase the survival rate of the white mold fungus. The sclerotia can survive in the soil for up to seven years. Sclerotia within the top two inches of the soil surface will germinate and produce spores even in the corn. Getting as many of these sclerotia to germinate in corn so they are not able to colonize the soybean crop in 2011 is a critical step in managing this disease for future years.

Crop rotation is also critical. Fields with heavy pressure in 2009 should not be planted to soybean in 2010. The risk of an infection of white mold is too high to plant beans on beans in 2010.


Variety selection is the best tool we have to reduce the incidence of white mold problems. There are drastic differences in tolerance to white mold in varieties, but all beans are susceptible under very high pressures like we saw in 2009. Row spacing and population are two cultural practices than can easily be managed to control the canopy density and reduce the risk of white mold.

Chemical controls include soil applied Contans before the crop is planted. This biological control agent breaks down the sclerotia in the soil so they cannot germinate. There are also several fungicides now labeled for suppression of white mold, but timing is critical with application of these products. Another chemical option is the use Cobra herbicide to improve the plants natural defense against white mold. With any chemical control agent it is important to read and follow label directions.

Talk to you Trelay DSM on the best control options and soybean varieties for your farm in 2010

Vertical Tillage

Vertical tillage is newer trend that is getting a lot of attention. There are many manufactures building equipment designed for vertical tillage. Most of these tend to look like a disk in that they have a series of blades in a gang on a tool bar. Some models have individual blades mounted on spring shanks similar to a filed cultivator.

The big difference is that the blades on this type of tillage equipment are a straight or fluted blade, more like a coulter. It runs 2 to 3 inches deep and is designed to cut crop residue and not move soil like the offset or tandem disks.

Leaving the residue on top off or mixed in the top few inches of the soil helps speed up decomposition and speeds the cycling of nutrients when compared to conventional tillage systems.

The main objective of using vertical tillage is to break up surface compaction, and take out rills or wheel tracks from harvest equipment.

Planting corn in fields that have been worked with Vertical tillage equipment can be tricky, and usually requires selecting hybrids bred to handle these soil conditions and the increased trash present. Trelays team has many years of experience and can help you make the right seed selections to match your tillage and filed conditions.

Are Twin Rows for You?

Twin row crops are planted with a staggered seed drop. This allows for more growing room for each individual plant, and it allows each plant to have greater access to water and nutrients, improved light interception, and improves the plants ability to cope with stressful conditions that may develop throughout the season.


Twin Rows are usually planted 7 ½” inches apart on 30” centers. This allows for much better spacing between plants. For example dropping 33,000 seeds per acre in 30” rows would result in 6.3” between plants, the same 33,000 in twin rows would result in 12.6” spacing between plants. This is even more impressive when we go to higher populations, 40,000 seeds per acre in 30” rows puts seeds at a spacing of 5.2” while the same 40,000 seeding rate in twin rows would have 10.5” between plants.

We conducted yield trials across 20 sites last year to compare yields of twin rows and traditional 30” rows. Or results showed at the lower populations there was little response, but at higher populations (above 30,000) we were getting 3 to 5 bushel response to twin rows. Some studies in other areas are showing as much as a 15% yield increase.

As you travel around the Corn Belt this next year, you may see corn fields that look a little different. Our Trelay District Sales Managers have a lot more information on twin rows available, so give them a call today.

Soybean Seed Germination Issues for 2010

2009 is behind us, and most growers are ready to leave it behind and look forward a better 2010. One problem with that idea is the wet harvest season last fall may have an effect on the soybean seed you purchase and plant this year. There have been several reports of soybean seed infected with Phomopsis seed decay. When wet weather causes delays in normal harvest, this fungal disease has the opportunity to infect the pods and seeds of soybeans because of the continued wetting and swelling of the seed and pods. Phomopsis is present in most of our soils and lies dormant until the soybean crop begins to mature. As the soybeans mature, this fungus moves into the pods and seeds covering them with a white, chalky mold growth and causes the beans to have a shriveled appearance. This causes a reduction in seed weight, and a reduction in germination rates of the infected seed. Healthy looking seed may also harbor the fungi within the seed coat. During germination this fungus will grow rapidly and can cause seedling wilt and/or damping off if it does not prevent germination all together.

The best way to manage your risk is plant quality seed. Check the germination on your seed lots to make sure they are 90% or above. This information is printed on the seed bag or on the seed tag of each bag or bulk unit of soybean seed. Another excellent way to control this risk is to use treated seed. Most of the common seed treatments today do an excellent job of controlling this fungus and will greatly increase germination and emergence on seed lots that may have low levels of infection. If you have questions or concerns about your seed quality, talk to any of our Trelay Seeds Reps and they will be happy to assist you with more info about this issue and if seed treatments would benefit your operation.