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Articles by Peter Thomison
Narrow row maize cultivation increased grain and forage yield of hybrids in Ohio and Pennsylvania
1 INTRODUCTION A variety of factors are linked to optimizing maize grain and forage yield and include planting date, relative hybrid maturity group, row spacing, water availability, and soil fertility (Ahmad et al., 2010). Most of these factors (e.g., row spacing, seeding rate, hybrid) need to be decided prior to or at the time of planting and can be difficult to change once implemented.
Severe storm damage and short‐term weather stresses on corn: A review
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Corn response to long‐term seasonal weather stressors: A review
CRM comparative relative maturity GDU growing degree unit PAR photosynthetically active radiation PPFD photosynthetic photon flux density PTQ photothermal quotient RUBISCO ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase 1 INTRODUCTION Corn is a major crop grown in the United States, with most of its production centered in the Midwestern United States (Figure 1a,b).
Ohio Corn: Strong Storms, Downed Plants - How Will This Affect Yield?
Strong storms the week of July 4th have led to some downed corn fields in parts of the state. Much of the yield penalty in corn is dependent on the stage the corn was at the time of the storm, as well as if the damage is root lodging (plants tipped over but stalk is intact) or stalk damage (greensnap/ brittlesnap or bent) (Fig. 1). Root lodging is easier for plants to recover from and will lead to less yield loss than stalk damage if occurring at the same rate.
Corn Yield Response to Damage from Strong Storms
Heavy rain events and strong storms are becoming more frequent in the eastern US corn belt, and have the potential to damage corn crops planted in the region. In addition to heavy rain and wind, hail may also accompany these storms. Damage to corn associated with these storms can manifest as reduced stand due to broken plants, partial to full plant defoliation from leaf loss, or as root lodging (stalks fall without breaking) or stalk breakage (i.e., greensnap).
Ohio Corn: Foliar Diseases May Affect Stalk Strength and Quality
Causes of Stalk Rot Several factors may contribute to stalk rot, including extreme weather conditions, inadequate fertilization, problems with nutrient uptake, insects, and diseases. This year, the combined effects of prevalent diseases such as northern corn leaf blight, southern rust, tar spot, and gray leaf spot may negatively affect stalk quality. However, the extent of the problem will depend on when these diseases develop and how badly the upper leaves of the plant are damaged.
Ohio Corn, Soybeans: Early Vegetative Lodging, Defoliation
Corn lodged from wind and hail damage. Photo: Ohio State University Storms over the last few weeks resulted in lodging and leaf damage in crop fields. It is likely the crops will rebound from these stresses and should experience minimal yield loss from these events (5-10%) if the season progresses well. Scouting for regrowth should be conducted to ensure fields are recovering.
2020 Northwest Ohio Corn Silage Test
January 4, 2021 Crops, Top Headlines By Rich Minyo, Bill Widdicombe, Peter Thomison, Allen Geyer, Ohio State University Extension In 2020, 45 corn silage hybrids representing 11 commercial brands were evaluated in a joint trial with Michigan State University (MSU). One Ohio location is combined with Michigan’s two southern (Zone 1) silage locations.
Ohio Corn: 2020 Performance Test - Regional Overviews
Maturing corn. Photo: University of Illinois In 2020, 125 corn hybrids representing 16 commercial brands were evaluated in the Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT). Four tests were established in the Southwestern/West Central/Central (SW/WC/C) region and three tests were established in the Northwestern (NW) and North Central/Northeastern (NC/NE) regions (for a total of ten test sites statewide). Hybrid entries in the regional tests were planted in either an early or a full season maturity trial.
Stalk rot issues are showing up in some corn
Stalk pinch test October 26, 2020 Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul and Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension Corn harvest is progressing very slowly across the state as the crop is taking unusually long to dry down this year. The longer the crop stays in the field, there greater the risk of late-season diseases such as ear and stalk rots, especially if it continues to rain.
Potential for Nitrate Problems in Drought Stressed Corn
By Peter Thomison and Laura Lindsey Have very dry soil conditions increase the potential for toxic levels of nitrates in corn harvested for silage? Nitrates absorbed from the soil by plant roots are normally incorporated into plant tissue as amino acids, proteins, and other nitrogenous compounds. Thus, the concentration of nitrate in the plant is usually low. The primary site for converting nitrates to these products is in the growing leaves.
Ohio: Potential for Nitrate Problems in Drought Stressed Corn
Maturing corn. Photo: University of Illinois Have very dry soil conditions increase the potential for toxic levels of nitrates in corn harvested for silage? Nitrates absorbed from the soil by plant roots are normally incorporated into plant tissue as amino acids, proteins, and other nitrogenous compounds. Thus, the concentration of nitrate in the plant is usually low. The primary site for converting nitrates to these products is in the growing leaves.
Ohio: Corn Growth in Hot and Dry Conditions
Pesticide sprayer in corn field. Photo: Michelle Wiesbrook, University of Illinois In recent days we have been experiencing 90 degree F days with limited precipitation, and so we are starting to see some leaf rolling in corn. Some of this may be related to reductions in soil moisture, but may be related to restricted root systems as well. Depending on the stage of corn at the time of these conditions, different effects on yield may be expected.
Corn Growth in Hot and Dry Conditions
By Alexander Lindsey and Peter Thomison In recent days we have been experiencing 90 degree F days with limited precipitation, and so we are starting to see some leaf rolling in corn. Some of this may be related to reductions in soil moisture, but may be related to restricted root systems as well. Depending on the stage of corn at the time of these conditions, different effects on yield may be expected.
Corn planting depth considerations
April 21, 2020 Crops, Top Headlines By Alexander Lindsey, K. Nemergut, Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension Timing corn emergence is key to minimize yield reductions, and can be more important for preserving yield than even seed spacing. When setting planting depth for corn this year, be sure to consider not just first emergence seen, but also the uniformity of the emergence.
Considerations for planting depth this year
According to some field agronomists, shallow plantings increase stress and result in less developed roots, smaller stalk diameters, smaller ears and reduced yields. Alexander Lindsey, K. Nemergut, Peter Thomison, Ohio State University | Apr 15, 2020 Timing corn emergence is key to minimize yield reductions, and can be more important for preserving yield than even seed spacing.
Ohio Corn: Considerations for Planting Depth This Year
Timing corn emergence is key to minimize yield reductions, and can be more important for preserving yield than even seed spacing. When setting planting depth for corn this year, be sure to consider not just first emergence seen, but also how uniform the emergence is. In work conducted from 2017-2019, we manipulated seeding depth to be approximately 1, 2, or 3” deep (current recommendations are for planting at 1.5-2 inches deep) in two conventionally tilled fields.
How Reliable will this Year`s Test Plot Data Be?
By Laura Lindsey, Peter Thomison Ohio's corn and soybean crops experienced exceptional growing conditions in 2019, including record rainfall in May and June followed by drier than normal August and September conditions in many areas. As a result of the early season saturated soils, corn and soybean planting was delayed across most of the state. For soybean, planting date is the most important cultural practice that influences grain yield.
How reliable will this year’s test plot data be?
November 21, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Laura Lindsey and Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension Ohio’s corn and soybean crops experienced exceptional growing conditions in 2019, including record rainfall in May and June followed by drier than normal August and September conditions in many areas. As a result of the early season saturated soils, corn and soybean planting was delayed across most of the state.
Field Drying and Harvest Losses in Corn
By Peter Thomison According to the USDA/NASS (https://www.nass.usda.gov/) as of Sunday, Oct. 27th, 37 percent of Ohio’s corn was harvested for grain, compared to 62 percent for last year and 56 percent for the five-year average. Late corn plantings and sporadic rain in some areas are not helping with field drying. Some growers are delaying harvest until grain moisture drops further.
Ohio Corn: Field Drying and Harvest Losses
Corn stalk lodging. Photo: Ohio State University According to the USDA/NASS, as of Sunday, Oct. 27th, 37 percent of Ohio’s corn was harvested for grain, compared to 62 percent for last year and 56 percent for the five-year average. Late corn plantings and sporadic rain in some areas are not helping with field drying. Some growers are delaying harvest until grain moisture drops further.
Dry conditions can lead to nitrates in corn
October 14, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Peter Thomison, Laura Lindsey, Steve Culman, Sam Custer, Ohio State University Extension Have very dry soil conditions increased the potential for toxic levels of nitrates in corn harvested for silage? Nitrates absorbed from the soil by plant roots are normally incorporated into plant tissue as amino acids, proteins and other nitrogenous compounds. Thus, the concentration of nitrate in the plant is usually low.
Watch for corn stalk issues this fall
With harvest wrapped up, now it is time to properly clean and care for all of the farm equipment. October 11, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Peter Thomison, Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension It may be an especially challenging year for corn stalk quality in Ohio. Stress conditions increase the potential for stalk rot that often leads to stalk lodging. This year persistent rains through June caused unprecedented planting delays. Saturated soils resulted in shallow root systems.
Ohio Corn: Stalk Quality Concerns
Corn stalk lodging. Photo: Ohio State University 2019 may be an especially challenging year for corn stalk quality in Ohio. Stress conditions increase the potential for stalk rot that often leads to stalk lodging (Fig. 1). This year persistent rains through June caused unprecedented planting delays. Saturated soils resulted in shallow root systems. Corn plantings in wet soils often resulted in surface and in-furrow compaction further restricting root growth.
Corn: How Does a Late-Season Frost Affect Crops?
Mature corn ears. Photo: Ohio State University The following is information on the effects of late-season frost injury to corn from an article by Dr. Joe Lauer, Corn Extension Specialist at the University of Wisconsin. Freezing temperatures before physiological maturity will damage corn. Maturity in corn occurs when kernels form a black layer at the kernel tip, grain will be at approximately 30 to 35 percent moisture. After maturity, no additional dry matter will be accumulated in the seed.
Drydown in corn: What to expect?
September 26, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension Many corn growers may encounter slower than normal drydown this fall due to late crop development associated with June planting dates. Much of Ohio’s late-planted corn may not achieve black layer until mid-October or later when drying conditions are less favorable for drydown.
Ohio Corn: Will Late Fields Reach Black Layer Before a Killing Frost?
Ohio saw record late corn planting in 2019. According to the Agricultural Statistics Service, only 33% of Ohio’s corn was planted by June 2. The question being asked now is will the June planted corn reach physiological maturity (black layer) before a killing frost? Corn is killed when temperatures are near 32°F for a few hours and when temperatures are near 28°F for a few minutes.
Ohio Corn: Grain Drydown - What to Expect?
Mature corn ears. Photo: Ohio State University Many corn growers may encounter slower than normal drydown this fall due to late crop development associated with June planting dates. Much of Ohio’s late-planted corn may not achieve black layer until mid-October or later when drying conditions are less favorable for drydown.
Ohio Corn: What’s Causing “Barbell” Ears?
Last week, I received reports of several ear oddities showing up in corn fields including the following: Shortened husk leaves with normal ears protruding beyond the husks Most corn fields have a few ears with exposed tips. In extreme situations, a high proportion of ears outgrow husks by 1/3 to 1/2.
Assessing The Risk of Frost Injury to Late Planted Corn
By Peter Thomison Lately I have received questions as to whether corn at various stages of development, especially the blister (R2) and dough stage (R3) stages, will mature before the 50% average frost date.
Estimating Yield Losses in Stressed Corn Fields
By Peter Thomison Many corn fields are still silking (and some are just past the mid-vegetative stages)….so, it may seem a little early to discuss estimating grain yields. However, according to the most recent NASS crop report, for the week ending Aug. 8, 2019, 25% of the corn crop has reached the dough stage (compared to 63% for the 5 year average).
Ohio Corn: Estimating Yield Losses in Stressed Fields
Many corn fields are still silking (and some are just past the mid-vegetative stages)….so, it may seem a little early to discuss estimating grain yields. However, according to the most recent NASS crop report, for the week ending Aug. 8, 2019, 25% of the corn crop has reached the dough stage (compared to 63% for the 5 year average). Corn growers with drought damaged fields and late plantings may want to estimate grain yields prior to harvest in order to help with marketing and harvest plans.
Are crops catching up?
August 13, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Laura Lindsey and Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension Corn Crop development varies tremendously across Ohio because of planting dates that range from late April to early July. According to field agronomists in some areas of the state, it looks like late-planted crops are “ rushing through development” …Unlike soybean, corn development is directly related to temperature, i.e. heat unit accumulation.
Are crops catching up?
Corn plants can "adjust" their development in response to a shortened growing season Aug 08, 2019 By Laura Lindsey, Peter Thomison Corn Crop development varies tremendously across Ohio and the Midwest because of planting dates that range from late April to early July. According to field agronomists in some areas of the state, it looks like late-planted crops are “ rushing through development” …Unlike soybean, corn development is directly related to temperature, i.e. heat unit accumulation.
Expect cornfields pollinating well into August
Photo by Aaron Overholser. August 1, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension corn specialist According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending July 28, 2019, 32% of the state’s corn was silking compared to 75% for the 5-year average. Given the wide range in corn planting dates this year, most corn will not achieve tasselling and silking until we are well into August.
Expect cornfields pollinating well into August
By Peter Thomison According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending July 28, 2019, 32% of the state’s corn was silking compared to 75% for the 5-year average. Given the wide range in corn planting dates this year, most corn will not achieve tasselling and silking until we are well into August. The pollination period, the flowering stage in corn, is the most critical period in the development of a corn plant from the standpoint of grain yield determination.
Ohio Corn: Pollination to Go Well into Aug.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending July 28, 2019, 32% of the state’s corn was silking compared to 75% for the 5-year average. Given the wide range in corn planting dates this year, most corn will not achieve tasselling and silking until we are well into August. The pollination period, the flowering stage in corn, is the most critical period in the development of a corn plant from the standpoint of grain yield determination.
Prospects for “muddied corn”
Photo by Lea Kimley. July 29, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension Recent heavy rains have caused widespread flooding and ponding, especially in river bottoms and along streams. In some localized areas, this may have resulted in partial and complete immersion of corn in nearby fields, especially in low spots. When water drains off these fields, plants may be covered to varying degrees with a layer of mud.
Ohio Corn: Wind Damage - “Green Snap” and Root Lodging
Corn lodged from high winds. Photo: Nikki Bell, University of Kentucky Strong winds associated with rain storms last week caused localized root lodging. The magnitude of this damage is influenced by several factors including crop stage of development and hybrid genetics. Root lodging occurs when strong winds pull corn roots part way out of the soil. The problem is more pronounced when soil are saturated by heavy rains accompanying winds.
Conditions improving (finally) around Ohio
July 8, 2019 2019 Between the Rows, Slider Nathan Brown — Highland County We have missed some of the rains but you don’t have to go very far north, south or west of us and they have caught a lot of the rains. We have been fortunate enough to get some dry spells and get some work accomplished. We got the wheat all run and got the straw baled. We should finish sidedressing today and finish post- spraying the corn and I will start post- spraying beans today too.
Ohio Crop Progress: Summer finally arrives
July 1, 2019 2019 Ohio Crop Progress Update, Top Headlines Last week was the single best week for fieldwork of the 2019 growing season, according to Cheryl Turner, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending June 30. The week was the warmest week in the 2019 growing season and most areas saw their first 90 plus degree day this year.
Ohio Corn: A Crop of Many Colors - What’s the Cause?
As corn is emerging and beginning to grow, we are again seeing many colors present. In any given field, corn can appear dark green in sections, while other sections are yellow and occasionally purple. Yellowing (due to low nitrogen or sulfur uptake and/or limited chlorophyll synthesis) or purpling (reduced root development and/or increased anthocyanin production) of corn plants at this stage of development generally has little or no effect on later crop performance or yield potential.
Ohio Corn: Is Your Crop Leaning?
Leaning or "floppy" corn. Photo: Ohio State University I have received several reports of corn leaning because of the high winds we have experienced recently along with the heavy rains. It is not uncommon for young plants to exhibit “lodging” as a result of strong winds. Last week, Amanda Douridas, ANR Extension Educator in Champaign Co., shared observations of corn leaning at approximately the V3-V6 stage in several fields (see Fig. 1).
Is your corn leaning?
By Peter Thomison I have received several reports of corn leaning because of the high winds we have experienced recently along with the heavy rains. It is not uncommon for young plants to exhibit “lodging” as a result of strong winds. Last week, Amanda Douridas, ANR Extension Educator in Champaign Co., shared observations of corn leaning at approximately the V3-V6 stage in several fields (see Fig. 1). Usually, this leaning is short-lived and plants recover within several days.
Ohio Corn: What Can We Expect from Ponding, Saturated Soils?
Corn in standing water. Photo: Ohio State University Persistent rains during May and early June have resulted in ponding and saturated soils in many Ohio corn fields and led to questions concerning what impact these conditions will have on corn performance. The extent to which ponding injures corn is determined by several factors including plant stage of development when ponding occurs, duration of ponding, air/soil temperatures. Corn is affected most by flooding at the early stages of growth.
Flooding and ponding in corn
June 13, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Alexander Lindsey and Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension Persistent rains during May and early June have resulted in ponding and saturated soils in many Ohio corn fields and led to questions concerning what impact these conditions will have on corn performance.
Ponding and Saturated Soils: Results of Recent Ohio Corn Research
By Alexander Lindsey, Peter Thomison Persistent rains during May and early June have resulted in ponding and saturated soils in many Ohio corn fields and led to questions concerning what impact these conditions will have on corn performance. The extent to which ponding injures corn is determined by several factors including (1) plant stage of development when ponding occurs, (2) duration of ponding and (3) air/soil temperatures.
Select appropriate hybrid maturity for June planting
June 7, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Alexander Lindsey, Rich Minyo, Allen Geyer, Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension Farmers who still anticipate planting corn for grain production should review their hybrid maturities to minimize the risk of corn not maturing safely prior to a killing fall freeze. We would encourage the use of the Corn GDD Tool to select “safe” hybrid maturities for late planting (http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/HybridMaturityDelayedPlant.html).
USDA Can’t Extend Planting Dates
By Chris Clayton DTN Ag Policy Editor OMAHA (DTN) — Responding to a request from the Agricultural Retailers Association, a USDA spokesperson said Wednesday it cannot change crop-insurance contracts to extend the planting season. The Agricultural Retailers Association wants Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to extend the late-planting season for crop insurance to avoid the “risk of unintended consequences” from the disaster legislation that passed Congress.
Hemp Pesticide Use
By Emily Unglesbee DTN Staff Reporter ARLINGTON, Va. (DTN) — Ever since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized commercial production of hemp, state and federal regulators have found themselves playing catch up with production practices. That dynamic was on display when state and EPA officials gathered for the State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) in Arlington, Virginia, on June 3-4. Officially, hemp production is legal in most states now.
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