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Articles by Pierce Paul
Vomitoxin management and corn fungicide decisions during pollination
Deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly referred to as vomitoxin, has become a significant problem for Ohio corn growers. What was once considered an every-10-year problem has now become a yearly challenge in some sections of the state. DON contamination of grain is associated with Gibberella ear rot (GER), a disease caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum.
Spring wheat management
By Laura Lindsey, Pierce Paul, Ed Lentz, CCA, Alyssa Essman, Ohio State University Extension Spring is an important time to make key management decisions for winter wheat. Decisions should be made on wheat growth stage, not calendar date or crop height. Correct growth stage identification and knowledge of factors that affect grain yield can enhance management decisions, avoiding damage to the crop and unwarranted or ineffective applications.
Characterization of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum diversity and screening host resistance to manage bacterial wilt in South Asia
Abstract In South Asia, bacterial wilt pathogens in the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) impose major constraints on eggplant, tomato, and pepper production. To improve the efficacy of bacterial wilt management, the goals of this study were to (1) conduct a survey of RSSC pathogens in Bangladesh and Nepal, (2) characterize the genetic diversity of these isolates, and (3) screen 37 tomato, eggplant, and pepper accessions for resistance to six representative isolates from South Asia.
Sampling corn grain for vomitoxin
Moldy grain and vomitoxin levels vary considerably within the grain lot. This is largely because the number of ears infected with Gibberella zeae, the fungus that causes Gibberella ear rot and produces vomitoxin in the grain, and number of infected kernels on a given ear within a field are highly variable.
Sampling Corn Grain for Vomitoxin
Sampling Corn Grain for Vomitoxin By: Pierce Paul, Ohio State University - 02/09/2023 Moldy grain and vomitoxin levels vary considerably within the grain lot. This is largely because the number of ears infected with Gibberella zeae, the fungus that causes Gibberella ear rot and produces vomitoxin in the grain, and number of infected kernels on a given ear within a field are highly variable.
Sampling corn for vomitoxin
Home/Featured News/Top Headlines/Sampling corn for vomitoxin Top Headlines By Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension Moldy grain and vomitoxin levels vary considerably within the grain lot. This is largely because the number of ears infected with Gibberella zeae, the fungus that causes Gibberella ear rot and produces vomitoxin in the grain, and number of infected kernels on a given ear within a field are highly variable.
Sampling Corn Grain for Vomitoxin
By Pierce Paul Moldy grain and vomitoxin levels vary considerably within the grain lot. This is largely because the number of ears infected with Gibberella zeae, the fungus that causes Gibberella ear rot and produces vomitoxin in the grain, and number of infected kernels on a given ear within a field are highly variable.
Harvesting and handling corn with ear rot
By Jason Hartschuh, CCA, Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension Ear rots are beginning to show up in pockets across the state, leading to concerns about mycotoxin contamination of grain. So far, we have received images and samples with Gibberella, Diplodia, Fusarium, and Trichoderma ear rots, four of the most common ear rots in the state.
Ohio Corn: Harvesting and Handling Ear Rot-Affected Crops
Ear rots and mycotoxins Ear rots are beginning to show up in pockets across the state, leading to concerns about mycotoxin contamination of grain. So far, we have received images and samples with Gibberella, Diplodia, Fusarium, and Trichoderma ear rots, four of the most common ear rots in the state. Of these, Gibberella (GER) and Fusarium ear rots are of greatest concerns, since grain harvested from affected fields will be contaminated with mycotoxins, particularly vomitoxin in the case of GER.
OSU Extension discusses 2022 tar spot concerns and fungicide application
Press Release from the OSU Extension: Hardin County – As of a week ago, most of the corn across the state of Ohio was between the late-R1 (silking) and late-R3 (milk) growth stages, with a few late-planted fields at late vegetative stages.
Tar Spot: Mid to Late R-Stage Fungicide Application
By Dr. Pierce Paul, OSU Extension-Corn Disease Specialist Edited by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension-Hardin County HARDIN COUNTY – As of a week ago (August 17), most of the corn across the state of Ohio was between the late-R1 (silking) and late-R3 (milk) growth stages, with a few late-planted fields at late vegetative stages.
Ohio Corn: More on Tar Spot - Mid to Late R-Stage Fungicide Application
Most of the corn across the state of Ohio is now between the late-R1 (silking) and late-R3 (milk) growth stages, with a few late-planted fields at late vegetative stages.
Winter malting barley information
Home/Crops/Winter malting barley information Crops, Top Headlines By Stan Smith, PA, Fairfield County Extension Recently, Ohio became the first state east of the Mississippi to receive the Malting Barley Endorsement insurance rider approved by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. As a result, the FCIC offering has expanded to the 36 Ohio counties listed below plus two in Indiana.
To spray or not to spray?
By Laura Lindsey, Andy Michel, Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Ohio State University Extension For foliar fungicide, first consider the disease triangle. For a disease to develop, there must be: 1) a susceptible host (Is your soybean variety resistant or susceptible?), 2) a virulent pathogen (Is there a history of a certain disease in your field? Do you see any visual symptoms of disease?), and 3) conducive environmental conditions.
Ohio Corn: What to Know About Managing Tar Spot
Tar spot is relatively easy to diagnose based on visual symptoms. So as the crop develops you should begin scouting fields to determine: if tar spot is present, estimate how much is there, determine whether it is increasing over time, and decide whether you should consider making a fungicide application. Walk down about 25-ft-of-row at 10 to 15 locations across the field and examine a pair of plants at every 10 steps for the present of tar spot.
Scouting for tar spot
Home/Crops/Scouting for tar spot Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul and Jorge Valle, Ohio State University Extension Tar spot is relatively easy to diagnose based on visual symptoms. So as the crop develops you should begin scouting fields to determine: 1) if tar spot is present, 2) estimate how much is there, 3) determine whether it is increasing over time, and 4) decide whether you should consider making a fungicide application.
Ohio Corn: 5 Common Questions About Tar Spot
1. Is tar spot a late-season disease in Ohio? No, tar spot can develop at any time during the growing season. For the first few years after it was first reported in Ohio in 2018, tar spot was detected primarily towards the end of the season, giving the impression that it would likely be a late-season disease in the state.
Wheat harvest following rains
By Laura Lindsey and Pierce Paul-OSU Extension, Ag Crops Team and edited by Mark Badertscher-OSU Extension, Hardin County HARDIN COUNTY, Ohio–While many areas of Ohio have already successfully harvested wheat, there are fields that still need to be harvested. With rainfall this week, harvest may be delayed.
Ohio Wheat: Harvest Date Reminders
While many areas of Ohio have already successfully harvested wheat, there are fields that still need to be harvested. With rainfall this week, harvest may be delayed. Late harvest coupled with excessive rainfall means more time for late-season mold growth, mycotoxin accumulation, test weight reduction, and sprouting; all of which could result in poor overall grain quality. In 2018, we evaluated wheat harvested on June 29 (at 12% moisture content) and July 8 (at 14% moisture content).
Wheat head scab risk rising in Ohio
Home/Crops/Wheat head scab risk rising in Ohio Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul, Extension Plant Pathologist, The Ohio State University Due largely to rainfall, high relative humidity, and warmer temperatures over the last several days, the risk for head scab is now moderate across most of the state of Ohio, and high across the south. The risk is low in NW Ohio.
Managing nitrogen in 2022
By Roy Ulrich, technical agronomist for Dekalb and Asgrow, Southern Ohio Adequate rates of nitrogen available to a corn plant during the entire growing season is a foundation to a successful harvest. This fact is foundational that Fred Below from the University of Illinois in his “Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World” ranked nitrogen as the second most important factor in corn yield, only to be outdone by weather.
Wheat head scab risk low
Home/Crops/Wheat head scab risk low Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension Wheat is, or will soon be, flowering in parts of central and northern Ohio. After a relatively slow start to the season, several days of warm weather caused the crop to advance, reaching anthesis (Feekes 10.5.1) a few days earlier than usual in some locations.
Ohio Wheat: Low Head Scab Risk
Fusarium head blight in wheat. Wheat is, or will soon be, flowering in parts of central and northern Ohio. After a relatively slow start to the season, several days of warm weather caused the crop to advance, reaching anthesis (Feekes 10.5.1) a few days earlier than usual in some locations. Feekes 10.5.1 is the growth stage at which wheat is most susceptible to infection by the fungus that causes head scab and produces vomitoxin.
Beware of more risks from tick bites this summer
Spring marks the beginning of tick season and this year, the tick population is expected to surge. With it comes the potential for tick bites, which could result in several complications, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and in some cases, cause some people to develop an allergy to red meat after being bitten. Lone star ticks in certain cases, can cause an allergy to red meat after being bitten by the tick. This species of tick entered Ohio over the last decade or so.
Watch for early wheat diseases
Home/Crops/Watch for early wheat diseases Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension plant pathologist The wheat crop in Ohio is now between early boot (Feekes 10, in the south) and approaching Feekes 8 (flag leaf emergence) in northern counties. Cooler-than-usual conditions over the last few weeks have slowed the crop down considerably, but as temperatures increase, the crop will advance through several growth stages over a relatively short period.
Tillage is useful for managing tar spot and other diseases
Tar spot November 29, 2021 Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension plant pathologist Tillage to remove and speed-up the decomposition of crop residue will help to reduce the risk of tar spot as well as other diseases such as gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight that overwinter in infected stubble.
Ohio Corn: Low Vomitoxin Levels Could Change with Rain, Delayed Harvest
The fungal disease that contaminated corn in Ohio and across the Corn Belt in 2018 can survive through the winter, so it could impact next year's crop. Photo: Ohio State University After walking more than 40 corn fields and sampling more than 3,500 ears, we believe that Gibberella ear rot (GER), and consequently, vomitoxin levels likely will be much lower this year than they were last fall.
Low vomitoxin levels in corn, for now
Gibberella ear rot. Photo by AgriGold. October 28, 2021 Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul, Wanderson B. Moraes, Marian Luis, Ohio State University Extension After walking more than 40 corn fields and sampling more than 3,500 ears, we believe that Gibberella ear rot (GER), and consequently, vomitoxin levels likely will be much lower this year than they were last fall.
Beware of dark dust clouds during harvest
October 21, 2021 Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul and Dee Jepsen, Ohio State University Extension There have been reports of huge dust clouds blowing up behind combines during harvest. It is certainly not uncommon to see dust during harvest as fragments of dead, dry plant parts and soil particles are usually suspended into the air as the combine drives though the field. However, the concern this year is that the dust seems excessive and particularly darker in color than usual.
Ohio Corn: Harvesting Fields with Moldy Leaves and Stubble
A red combine harvests dried corn in a dusty field. Photo: Kevin Hudson, Mississippi State University Dark Dust Clouds During Harvest There have been reports of huge dust clouds blowing up behind combines during harvest. It is certainly not uncommon to see dust during harvest as fragments of dead, dry plant parts and soil particles are usually suspended into the air as the combine drives though the field.
Wide-Row Wheat Management
By Pierce Paul and Laura Lindsey Growers may be interested in wide-row wheat production due to reductions in equipment inventory (lack of grain drill) and to allow intercropping of soybean into wheat. Wheat row spacing work conducted during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 growing season (funded by Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program) indicated that wheat grown in 15-inch rows produced yields that were 1 to 11 percent lower than wheat grown in 7.5-inch row spacing.
Diagnosis of Tar Spot Late in the Season
By Pierce Paul Understandably, tar spot has been the focus of our attention this year, as it has been detected in more than 20 counties. It is a disease that is relatively easy to identify based on visual signs and symptoms, but as we approach the end of the season, it may become increasing difficult for untrained eyes to tell tar spot apart from late stages of some other disease.
Ohio Corn: Diagnosis of Tar Spot Late in the Season
Close up view of tar spot on corn leaf. Photo: Martin Chilvers, Michigan State University Understandably, tar spot has been the focus of our attention this year, as it has been detected in more than 20 counties. It is a disease that is relatively easy to identify based on visual signs and symptoms, but as we approach the end of the season, it may become increasing difficult for untrained eyes to tell tar spot apart from late stages of some other disease.
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.
Pollination going well around the state
Ross Black Last night we finally got 2 tenths of an inch of rain at my home farm. The corn was really starting to need it. It is amazing how fast we got dry. The corn was starting to roll up a little bit, especially under the trees. We’ll welcome any shower we can get and we’re hoping for more into the next week. The corn is anywhere from mid-pollination to just wrapping up pollination. Everything looks really good, but we did notice some gray leaf spot bad enough to spray.
Foliar Diseases and Fungicide Decisions in Corn
By Pierce Paul This July has been one of the wettest on record, and with the extra moisture, comes concerns about diseases. Gray Leaf Spot (GLS) and, to a lesser extent, northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), have already been reported in some fields, well before tasseling in some cases. Such early disease development could impact grain yield, especially if it continues to be wet and the hybrid is susceptible. GLS is favored by warm temperatures (70 and 90 F) and high relative humidity.
Poor stands? — Maybe some reasons why - Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal
July 12, 2021 Crops, Top Headlines By Harold Watters and Greg LaBarge, Ohio State University Extension The two most common seedling diseases this year were compaction and Pythium. We overworked the soil, this spring and last spring both, and maybe even last fall. Poor soil structure leads to soil compaction and crusting. I often quote Sjoerd Duiker, agronomist at PennState University, this time I’ll just give you his link: https://extension.psu.edu/soil-crusting.
Ohio Wheat: Don’t Delay Harvest
Wheat harvest date could impact both grain yield and quality. Delaying wheat harvest puts the crop at risk for increased disease, lodging, sprouting, harvest loss, and grain contamination with mycotoxins. Even though head scab seems to be relatively low across the state this year, delaying wheat harvest could cause increased levels of vomitoxin contamination of grain, particularly if it rains for several days leading up to harvest.
Don’t Delay Wheat Harvest
By Laura Lindsey and Pierce Paul Wheat harvest date could impact both grain yield and quality. Delaying wheat harvest puts the crop at risk for increased disease, lodging, sprouting, harvest loss, and grain contamination with mycotoxins. Even though head scab seems to be relatively low across the state this year, delaying wheat harvest could cause increased levels of vomitoxin contamination of grain, particularly if it rains for several days leading up to harvest.
Head scab risk low for wheat
Head scab in Ohio wheat. June 1, 2021 Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul and Aaron Wilson, Ohio State University Extension According to the FHB forecasting system (http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/), the risk for head scab is low across the state of Ohio for wheat flowering (anthesis) today, May 24, and over the next three days.
Head Scab Risk Low
By Pierce Paul and Aaron Wilson According to the FHB forecasting system (http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/), the risk for head scab is low across the state of Ohio for wheat flowering (anthesis) today, May 24, and over the next three days. Although temperatures have increased over the last few days, it has been very dry across most of the state where is crop is between full head emergence and early anthesis (flowering).
Wheat disease risk and fungicide application programs
Marion County wheat May 19, 2021 Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul, Marian Luis and Maira Duffeck, Ohio State University Extension Wheat is now between boot and anthesis (flowering) across the state. In most of the fields that we have visited over the last two weeks, the crop looks excellent, with very little or no disease symptoms on the flag leaf or even the two leaves below the flag leaf.
Ohio: Wheat Between Feekes 8-10 and Disease Concerns
Septoria leaf blotch on wheat. Photo: Ohio State University Wheat is now between Feekes 8 (flag leaf emergence) and Feekes 10 (boot) across the state. Feekes 8 marks the beginning of the period during which we recommend that you begin scouting fields to determine which disease is present and at what level. Septoria tritici leaf spot is usually one of the first to show up, and it has already been reported in some fields.
Ohio Wheat: Growth Stages, Associated Management - Feekes 6.0-9.0
Wheat field. Photo: University of Kentucky It is important to correctly identify winter wheat growth stages to enhance management decisions, avoiding damage to the crop and unwarranted or ineffective applications. Remember, exact growth stage cannot be determined by just looking at the height of the crop or based on calendar dates. Remember to stage several plants from several areas within your field.
Gibberella ear rot and vomitoxin in corn
Gibberella ear rot. Photo by AgriGold. January 26, 2021 Crops, Top Headlines By Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension If your grain was harvested from a field with Gibberella ear rot (GER), it is more than likely contaminated with mycotoxins. Deoxynivalenol, also known as vomitoxin, is one of the mycotoxins most commonly produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum that causes GER. Another name for this fungus is Gibberella zeae, hence the name of the disease.
Gibberella Ear Rot and Vomitoxin in Corn
By Pierce Paul If your grain was harvested from a field with Gibberella ear rot (GER), it is more than likely contaminated with mycotoxins. Deoxynivalenol, also known as vomitoxin, is one of the mycotoxins most commonly produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum that causes GER. Another name for this fungus is Gibberella zeae, hence the name of the disease.
Ohio: Gibberella Ear Rot and Vomitoxin in Corn
Maturing corn. Photo: University of Illinois If your grain was harvested from a field with Gibberella ear rot (GER), it is more than likely contaminated with mycotoxins. Deoxynivalenol, also known as vomitoxin, is one of the mycotoxins most commonly produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum that causes GER. Another name for this fungus is Gibberella zeae, hence the name of the disease.
Harvesting and Handling Moldy Corn
By Pierce Paul and Felipe Dalla Lana da Silva et.al Harvesting, Sampling, and Testing: This year, slow grain dry-down, delayed harvest, and late-season rainfall have led to fairly high levels of one or more ear rots (Gibberella, Fusarium, Diplodia and Trichoderma) in some corn fields.
Ohio: Harvesting and Handling Moldy Corn
Corn ears infected with myotoxin and aflatoxin. Photo: G. Roth, Pennsylvania State University This year, slow grain dry-down, delayed harvest, and late-season rainfall have led to fairly high levels of one or more ear rots (Gibberella, Fusarium, Diplodia and Trichoderma) in some corn fields.
China purchases boosting corn prices
By Jon Scheve, Superior Feed Ingredients, LLC Two months ago, farmers hoped corn prices would stay above $3. Two weeks later, many feared $3.50 would be the high before harvest. One month ago, corn hit $3.75 before rolling back to $3.60 and many felt the high for the season might have been posted. Then Friday, corn traded to $4.20, leaving everyone questioning where the top will be. What is causing this? An unexpected increase in China’s supply needs is a major reason.
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