Division of Agriculture guides offer latest research on weed, pest and disease management

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has released the 2023 edition of three publications containing updated research-based recommendations for managing pests, weeds and diseases in row crop agriculture as well as fruit, vegetable and garden production.

GUIDES -- Updated weed, disease and pest guides are available at county extension offices. UADA graphic/Oliver Williams

The guides are available online for download, and nearly 20,000 printed copies have been distributed to county extension offices where residents can pick up free copies.

The 2023 publications are:

• MP44 — Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control

• MP144 — Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas

• MP154 — Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products

“MP” stands for “miscellaneous publication.”

“These publications provide control methods of pests on crops, livestock, and around the home,” said Victor L. Ford, the Division of Agriculture’s associate vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “These are not only for farmers but also for homeowners, commercial applications and others who need to control pests. The recommendations are based on the best research available and the product label. Both organic and non-organic recommendations are included in the guides.”

MP44, “Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control” is a useful resource for anyone using herbicides for weed control.

“The 2023 edition of Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control has been fully updated to include the latest herbicide releases, application guidelines, and other herbicide recommendations for the state of Arkansas,” said Tommy Butts, extension weed scientist for the Division of Agriculture. “This information is the direct result of first-hand research conducted across the state and is possible due to funding from all of our state commodity boards.”

MP144, “Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas,” contains information on recommended insecticides in row crops, animal agriculture, fruits, nuts, vegetables and household pests. A mobile-friendly edition of MP 144 is available at https://mp144.uada.edu/.

The “Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide” — or MP154 — includes a list of fungicides and nematicides registered for use in Arkansas that are used to control diseases of row crops, vegetables, small fruits, turfgrass and ornamental plants. This year’s edition includes a few new fungicides and updated fungicide efficacy tables for corn, soybean and wheat, extension plant pathologist Travis Faske said. All of the information in the guides is generated by extension plant pathologists who conduct applied research trials across the state. 

To find more extension publications, visit https://pubs.uada.edu/.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Henry: Next 30 days critical for irrigators, crops and equipment

MAKING IT RAIN — Irrigation pivot running in Marvell, Arkansas, on July 17, 2022, as drought deepened in Arkansas. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Mary Hightower)

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

STUTTGART, Ark. — If there’s one message Chris Henry has for Arkansas row crop farmers during the drought, it’s “don’t get in a hurry.”

Henry, professor and water management engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has posted a handout with a variety of tactics aimed at helping farmers get the most crop they can with what irrigation is available. Additional information can be found in a fact sheet series on Arkansas crop irrigation.

“The next 30 days will be critical for many irrigators, as fatigues sets in, and many crops are still at or entering high water demand,” Henry said. “However, there are things that farmers can do to mitigate both the human and plant stress being experienced.”  

Arkansas has experienced a broken string of days with highs in the triple digits, with rain in short supply. The U.S. Drought monitor map of July 19 showed all of Arkansas experiencing some form of drought. The Climate Prediction Center’s extended outlook issued July 21 showed most of Arkansas with temperatures well above normal. However, the CPC’s precipitation outlook was more promising, with the northern two-thirds of the state possibly seeing above-average amounts.

Henry’s tactics include:

• Using a computerized hole selection program such as Pipe Planner, Rice Irrigation or PHAUCET to help plan water distribution across the field. Henry said use of these programs can reduce pump time by between 10 percent and 50 percent.

• Plan to be patient. Henry said water is drawn down from wells and reservoirs, pumps have to lift water further. “Expect to take longer to irrigate a set or flood up a field and adjust accordingly,” he said. “Some alluvial wells can drop off as much as 50 percent and it’s not uncommon for relifts to fall off 30 percent as we get to the bottom.”

• Soil sensors are still relevant. “It’s not too late to incorporate sensors into irrigation management,” Henry said. “Using sensors to determine the last irrigation of the season is the largest payback of monitoring soil moisture, it almost always saves at least one irrigation and allows for planning ahead of dwindling irrigation supplies.”

Even with one or two sets of sensors — for less than $500 — estimating the number of irrigations left can be done for the entire enterprise. “In a drought year like 2022, sensors can save both water and profitability,” Henry said.

• Irrigate deeply. Instead of flushing fields with limited water, try to fill the profile up when irrigating, Henry said. “This will encourage the roots to go deeper for water and reduce the number of sets for the season-saving on precious labor.”

• Check those pumps. Drought is prompting farmers to run their irrigation pumps beyond the typical 800 hours a year.

“For diesel power units, oil changes and greasing propeller shafts may seem obvious, but changing the oil in the gear head is often overlooked,” Henry said. He also urged farmers with electric motors to be sure to use both the correct lubrication and amount. “If the oil in the sight window is black or white, there is a high risk of bearing failure.”

The fact sheet provides additional guidance, tables and example calculations, on how to estimate crop demand and the amount and number of irrigations needed for reservoirs and wells as supplies draw down. 

“Heat stress and heat exhaustion awareness are real threats to safely sustaining irrigation, keep ample water to employees and yourself and don’t get in a hurry, it may take more time to do things safely,” Henry said.

 To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.