Pitt County Crops Update (June 2025)
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Collapse ▲A “PRE” APPROACH TO TARGET SPOT PAYS 5%
Target spot has been an annual problem for tobacco farmers and the weather patterns for this year is expected to make this disease worse. Research that has been conducted by Dr. Daisy Ahumada has shown a 5% increase in yield for crops that receive a preventative approach to target spot.
Quadris and Mancozeb are moderately effective for reducing target spot. Field trials in 2023 and 2024 showed a substantial decrease in disease severity and at least a 5% yield increase with the use of Quadris Flowable or Manzate Pro-Stick for target spot management.
If target spot is a recurring problem in your tobacco, it may be time to take action before the disease is actually seen. Target spot is caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia and is present in every Pitt County field.
The steps to a PRE approach to reducing target spot losses include:
- Apply Quadris Flowable using 2 applications with the first being made about 5 weeks after transplanting. A second application should follow application 3 weeks later.
- Use Quadris at a rate of 8-10 ounces per acre applied at a rate of 35-40 gallons per acre.
- Quadris has a PHI of 21 days.
Good coverage of the plant is essential to good performance with these products. Since target spot is a disease that “comes out of the ground,” any treatment made to control this disease needs to reach the bottom of the plant. As tobacco increases in size, it is important to provide the necessary water volume. Refer to page # of the 2025 Tobacco Information Guide for more information.
REAL NUMBERS ON STINK BUGS
The Pitt County Extension Center continues to receive questions about the possible need to treat for stink bugs in corn. Unfortunately, most stink bugs sprays are made without proper scouting and often applied too late to reduce economic injury.
Mid-June is the time when stinkbugs move into corn fields. When wheat harvest begins, these insects can sometimes be pushed into nearby corn fields. The main species is the brown stink bug although others can affect corn. Stinkbug populations tend to peak just prior to tasseling.
Stink Bug Scouting
Your best defense against stink bugs is to hire a scout or someone who can perform a thorough investigation of pest levels in your corn. Check all edges first since stinkbugs concentrate there and not in the middle of the field. At each sampling stop, check at least 10 corn plants.
When scouting, it is not necessary to sample the entire plant. Find where the primary ear is located or peel back the leaves to find where it is forming. Scout the stalk from the first leaf above and below the primary ear. Treat if an average of 1 stink bug is found per 8 corn plants.
If stinkbug thresholds have been reached, sprays of bifenthrin should be applied in a manner to penetrate the corn crop canopy.
Read more about stink bugs at: https://corn.ces.ncsu.edu/stink-bug-management-in-corn/
CONSIDERING A CORN FUNGICIDE?
With all of the recent rainfall, many corn producers are weighing the decision to apply a fungicide. Past research has shown that if it is needed, the application of a fungicide in corn can mean an increase in yield by 10-12 bushels per acre.
According to Dr. Ron Heiniger, NCSU Corn Specialist, the decision on whether to apply a fungicide in the 2021 corn crop should be based on two factors; sunlight and the presence of disease. Dr. Heiniger says that if days are mostly sunny during this time of the year and no foliar leaf diseases can be found, the application of a fungicide is unlikely to be beneficial.
CHANGES TO WHEAT YIELD CONTEST
If you have some wheat that is picking surprising good, give us a call if you’d like to have its yield verified and entered into the state yield contest. The rules for this year’s contest have been modified with the following changes being made. These include:
- Only plots that have been planted with seed that has been purchased (not bin rung) will be eligible.
- The field from which the plot is entered must be at least 5 acres in size.
- The plot entry must be 1.5 acres and 4-sided.
- Two people (including the county agent) not affiliated with the farm must measure the yield entry.
- The yield entry must be submitted electronically on or before July 7, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. by me.
Contact me at 252-902-1704 if you are considering an entry for this year.
SCOUT EARLY FOR PLANT BUGS
Plant bugs have been increasing in cotton production and usually result in 2 sprays per year. Early scouting is the key to preventing yield losses from plant bugs. Net returns for spraying when plant bugs reach threshold can result in a positive gain of $64-238 per acre.
When to Start Scouting
Scouting for plant bugs should begin when cotton is squaring and should continue until about 2 weeks after cutout. Cotton squares at nodes 9 and 10 about June 10. This is about 40 days after emergence and when the cotton plant has 7 leaves.
Earlier maturing varieties are not as sensitive to plant bugs. Also, plant bugs tend to be more attracted to late planted cotton and fields that are vigorous and rank growing. Note: Cotton that squares in mid-June is considered to be “late” cotton. Fields that are adjacent to corn are the most at risk of damage due to plant bugs. Finally, smaller fields (especially those with more “edges”) and those near recently harvested timber (cutovers) tend to have higher numbers of plant bugs.
When scouting cotton, a rule of thumb is that square loss before bloom is usually due to insects (such as plant bugs), but note that square loss after bloom is a less reliable indicator of plant bug presence. Prior to bloom, the economic threshold is 8 plant bugs/100 sweeps plus 80% square retention. Plant bug populations usually peak during the 3rd week of squaring.
Insecticidal Choices
If spraying begins in June, Dr. Dominic Reisig, Extension Entomology Specialist recommends using Admire (1.7 ounces/acre) plus Centric (1-1.25 ounces/acre) or Centric alone (1.75-2 ounces/acre). After June, if cotton is not blooming, consider using Transform (2-2.25 ounces/acre) and add Diamond if nymphs are present.
Pyrethroid-resistant plant bugs have been confirmed in North Carolina. Therefore, if pyrethroids are used, they should be paired with an insecticide like Diamond or Orthene, which will help to prevent nymph development. Pyrethroid insecticides kill beneficial insects and have the potential to flare bollworms. Hollow cone nozzles are the recommended choice when spraying.
PITT/GREENE COUNTY SCOUTING SCHOOL
Scouting is a vital tool to being able to predict a pesticide or herbicide application on a farm. Pitt and Greene County are hosting a Scouting School here at the Pitt County Agricultural Center at 9:00 a.m. on July 30th. 2 hours of “X” Pesticide Credits will be Offered. Call Jonathan Smith at 252-902-1704 or Hannah Howe at 252-747-5831 to register.
EXTENDING COTTON WEED CONTROL
Because most residual herbicides applied at planting have been “washed out” due to excessive rainfall, many growers will need to add a residual herbicide (Dual Magnum, Outlook, or Warrant) in their first trips across the field. These herbicides will likely be combined with postemergence (POST) herbicides and a foliar thrips product.
Cotton injury from these tank mixtures is largely influenced by environmental conditions, more specifically soil moisture. When soils are saturated and cotton plants are tender, growers should expect more burn from postemergence combinations. However, do not let this discourage you from applying these tank mixtures. Even in a worst-case scenario where cotton is injured 30%-35% five days after application, previous research has demonstrated that yield is not affected. If you are overly cautious and insist on split applications to avoid injury, it is first suggested that emerged weeds be removed first and thrips be removed with your POST herbicide(s) plus the thrips product of choice. A couple days to a week later, apply Dual Magnum, Outlook, or Warrant, being sure to get your residual herbicide activated prior to germination of new weeds.
Dr. Charlie Cahoon
NCSU Extension Weed Science Specialist
EXTENDING PEANUT WEED CONTROL
(Excerpt Taken from Dr. David Jordan, NCSU Peanut Portal)
In order to provide weed control through June, postemergence herbicides are necessary to be applied regardless of the herbicides already used. Since the window for applying Paraquat has closed for many fields (within 28 days after emergence), it becomes necessary and often more effective to switch to Cobra, Ultra Blazer, Storm, or Cadre in order to control weeds that have escaped and are too large for Paraquat. 2,4-D and Basagran are also effective choices. The choice of any of these products depends on the weeds present in a given field situation.
Residual herbicides such as Anthem Flex, Dual Magnum, Zidua, Outlook, and Warrant can be applied with contact herbicides. Acephate for thrips control is generally compatible with most herbicide mixtures. If clethodim is going to be applied with other broadleaf and sedge herbicides, remember to increase the rate and read the label for the proper adjuvant to also be added.
2,4-DB Options
2,4-DB remains an important tool for peanut weed control. Used alone, it controls cocklebur and some of the morning glories but usually it is applied as a mixture with Basagran, Cadre, Cobra, Storm, and Ultra Blazer as well as with peanut fungicides. A good rule is that when the timeframe for Paraquat runs out, the time for 2,4-DB arrives. One important role for 2,4-DB is to suppress Palmer amaranth that might have escaped in July and August.
LOOKING AHEAD TO PEANUT SPRAY PROGRAMS
Now is the time to begin planning an effective peanut spray program which provides solid leaf spot and stem rot protection. When designing a spray program, every field should receive protection from leaf spot and southern stem rot. Spraying typically begins the first week the first week of July when peanuts reach the R3 stage or the “very early” pod stage. Spraying before July 1 is not justified except in poor rotations. Listed below are some points to consider as plans are being made:
It Starts with Chlorothalonil (Bravo, Echo, various brands).
Using Chlorothalonil is an essential part of any foliar disease control program. Chlorothalonil is usually the first and the last fungicide applied to a peanut crop. Consider adding a systemic product such as Topguard EQ or Alto along with the first application of Chlorothalonil.
Disclaimer: The use of brand names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service of the products or services named nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.
Jonathan Smith
Agricultural Extension Agent
Disclaimer: The use of brand names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service of the products or services named nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.