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Poinsettias: Selecting and Caring for the Most-Popular Holiday Plant
With the holiday season already underway, garden centers, floral shops and popular retail chains are full of poinsettias. Learn some tips for selecting and caring for them in this article.
Gall Midge Larvae in Soybean Stems
Gall midge larvae were observed recently in soybean stems from a field in South Dakota. These insects were found under the epidermis of the stem that was slightly above the soil line.
Bacterial Leaf Streak Developing at Low Level in Winter Wheat
A few winter wheat fields were found with bacterial leaf streak starting to develop at low levels. Bacterial leaf streak is usually observed starting from flag leaf growth stage. It can be severe on the upper leaves when there is prolonged leaf wetness resulting from frequent rains.
Woody Weeds: Tatarian Honeysuckle
Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) was brought to North America from Asia in the mid-18th century for ornamental uses. In South Dakota it was also used as a windbreak species until the 1980s.
Flea Beetles in the Garden
Flea beetles have been out in full force so far this year. This group of herbivorous beetles can be a pest of many different garden plants, including tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, lettuce and others.
Multiple Rounds of Severe Weather Bring Heavy Rainfall, High Winds, and Soil Erosion
A combination of tillage, no residue, and lack of crop canopy can lead to severe erosion and topsoil loss in the face of extreme weather patterns in the spring. The most effective strategy for producers to adapt to these extreme events is to improve soil health.
Monitor Lawns and Gardens for Bronzed Cutworm Activity
Bronzed cutworms can be an issue for lawns and gardens in South Dakota. In grass, bronzed cutworms will feed and leave small brown circular patches. Large populations of bronzed cutworm can result in severe lawn injury.
Fusarium Head Blight Predicted Risk for Spring Wheat
Most of the spring wheat is at or will soon be at flowering. One disease that can develop in wheat at this growth stage is fusarium head blight (FHB or scab).
Winter Wheat Diseases Update
Powdery mildew, fusarium head blight and leaf rust were observed in a few winter wheat fields recently scouted. The recent rainfall showers and warm temperatures have favored these diseases to develop in winter wheat.
Start of Flowering Is the Ideal Time for White Mold Management in Soybeans
Some early planted soybeans are starting to flower (R1 growth stage). One soybean disease that needs to be managed at this growth stage is white mold.