Plant Sciences Commons^™

Sp341-G Corn Earworm On Sweet Corn, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is the most serious insect pest of sweet corn in Tennessee. This pest feeds directly on the market product.

Sp277-W Foliar Diseases Of Tomato, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No abstract provided.

Sp277-Q Black Shank Of Tobacco, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Black shank is a widespread and destructive disease of tobacco in Tennessee. It was first identified in Robertson County in 1935 and has since spread to most tobacco-producing counties in the state. Burley, dark air-cured and dark fire-cured types of tobacco are all susceptible to black shank.

Black shank disease is caused by a soil-borne fungus, Phytophthora parasitica f. nicotianae. The fungus can survive in the soil for many years, even in the absence of tobacco.

Sp645-When Are Micronutrients Needed For Farm Fields, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

This factsheet provides a listing of secondary and micronutrient soil tests available through the University of Tennessee Soil Testing Laboratory in Nashville. It also summarizes all of the university’s secondary and micronutrient recommendations and guidelines based on current research. Some recommendations are based upon soil test values (Table 1) interpreted as either satisfactory (levels adequate for excellent crop production) or unsatisfactory (levels indicating a need for fertilization). For other micronutrients, such as boron or molybdenum, a general recommendation is made for those crops observed to respond consistently to such fertilization. For copper, the soil test is currently only used to …

Sp341-K Common Stalk Borer In Field Corn, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The common stalk borer in Tennessee is reported to attack several crops in addition to field corn. However, the preferred host of the insect is giant ragweed. This preference is due to the largeness of the stem in which the larvae can mature. Fields of corn planted into a no-till situation are preferred by the moths because of the grassy weeds in those fields. The adult moth deposits eggs on grassy weeds in the early spring. Later, the larvae will migrate to any corn planted in the fields.

Sp341-Y Western Corn Rootworm, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Three species of corn rootworms are found in Tennessee. The Western corn rootworm is the most destructive of the three species. This insect is now prevalent from Texas to the Dakotas, and has moved into Tennessee within the past 10 to 15 years. Until 1955, this rootworm was found in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota and Iowa. The Western corn rootworm has traditionally moved into the territory of the Northern corn rootworm, which is also found in Tennessee.

Pb1096 Liming Acid Soils In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Soil test results indicate that approximately 50 percent of the cropland in Tennessee is too acid for optimum crop production. Because of this, determining the need for lime should be the first step in developing a sound crop fertilization program. Lime neutralizes excess soil acids and increases pH. If not limed as needed, soils continue to become more acid, reducing the soil’s potential to produce healthy plants and profitable yields.

Sp341-E The Chinch Bug In Grain Sorghum, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The chinch bug is very widely distributed throughout the United States but is rarely abundant enough to cause serious crop losses except in certain areas. However, during an outbreak, it can completely destroy stands of corn and grain sorghum.

Sp341-V-Sampling Stored Grain For Insects, Molds And Related Problems, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The periodic and timely sampling of stored grains can detect existing or potential problems before considerable damage has occurred. Proper sampling of stored grain can reveal increases in moisture or temperature and insect or mold problems in the grain.

It is important to be aware of the potential hazards of sampling inside a grain bin. Suffocation can occur in grain bins, and sampling should be done with caution.

Pb1721 Irrigation Cost Analysis Handbook, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension

Field & Commercial Crops

Irrigation is a risk management tool. The risk of yield reduction due to drought is minimized with irrigation, because moisture can be added to the soil to match the water requirements of the crop. Irrigation is also a major capital investment. The yield produced under irrigation must be sufÞ cient to produce a positive return on the investment.

This handbook is intended to assist users in determining the economics of investing in irrigation at their location. All irrigation systems are unique. Many factors are used to estimate the cost of irrigation, and each of these factors will vary with location. …

Sp597 Flooding Harvested Crop Fields In Winter: Effects On Crop Production And Opportunities For Waterfowl Management, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Flooding crop fields in winter to attract waterfowl and other wildlife is a management tool that has been used for several years. Ducks and geese are attracted to waste grain and weed seeds, while shorebirds, wading birds and mammals visit flooded fields in search of fish and/or invertebrates. Landowners are interested in this management practice because flooding fields in winter provides a place to hunt (or lease) and is visually pleasing with a variety of wildlife species using the property. In addition, there is evidence that flooding crop fields is actually cost-effective for the producer by providing increased weed control …

Pb443 Corn Production In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Corn is the most important grain crop in Tennessee. The total acreage of corn grown for grain and silage has been about 700,000 to 900,000 since 1970, with the silage acreage remaining about 140,000 acres each year since 1970. This is about one-fourth the total acreage of corn grown in Tennessee in 1930, but increased yields have tended to offset reduced acreage.

The average yield 55 years ago was about 20 to 25 bushels per acre, which was no better than the yields recorded 100 years ago. Tennessee farmers increased corn yields from 35 bushels per acre in 1955, to …

Pb1608 Soybean Production In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The soybean plant belongs to the Leguminosae family. All plants in this family are known as legumes and many have the ability to supply their own nitrogen needs. The average composition of a soybean seed is 40 percent protein, 21 percent oil, 34 percent carbohydrates and 5 percent ash on a dry matter basis. Soybeans grown in Tennessee average about 20 percent oil and 40 percent protein. Soybeans are an important crop in Tennessee and rank in the top three for cash receipts for row crops each year. Soybean acres harvested for the last five years have ranged from 950,000 …

Pb1667 Control Of Vole Damage In No-Till Soybeans, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Voles are a problem for farmers using minimum and no-till technologies for soybean production, because voles feed on soybeans from the time they are established until they are harvested. This problem is expected to increase as land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is returned to row crops. Retaining established cover through no-till farming decreases erosion, improves water quality, increases wildlife habitat and conserves moisture when compared to conventional tillage practices. However, voles that have established colonies and flourished beneath the cover established under CRP, crop residue or hay crops can devastate crop plantings. Significant stand reductions have been …

Pb1637 Fertilizers And Their Use, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

An understanding of soil chemical properties is important because of their effect on nutrient availability to plants. Also, these properties may usually be favorably altered with the use of lime and/or fertilizer materials. Many plants need 18 elements (see Table 1) for normal growth and completion of their life cycle. These elements are called the essential plant nutrients. Soil amendments containing the essential plant nutrients or having the effect of favorably changing the soil chemistry have been developed and used to enhance plant nutrition. These amendments are our lime and fertilizer materials.

With the development of these modern lime and …

Pb819 Growing Vegetable Transplants In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The production of vegetable plants for commercial and home use is increasing in Tennessee. This is partially due to the expansion of greenhouse flower and ornamental production. To meet the demand for home gardeners, growers have gradually added vegetable plants to their spring production operation. Growers are finding that production of quality plants is a profitable business in urban areas.

Successful vegetable plant production is not a simple practice, because it requires technical knowledge of production practices within an enclosed environment, careful planning and man age ment. Combining the required environmental conditions favorable for vegetable plant growth, either in a …

Pb962 Producing Cantaloupes In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Cantaloupes are a warm-season crop that requires 70 to 90 days, depending upon the variety, from seeding to marketable fruit. Their consumption has increased by 11 percent since 1958. Almost all of the increase in consumption can be credited to the installation of salad bars in fast-food restaurants. Cantaloupes are very sensitive to cool temperatures. If they are exposed to cool temperatures (50 degrees or less) for short periods of time during the growing period, growth will be severely stunted. Plants will continue to survive, but their growth rate and fruit set rate per plant decreases. About 700 acres of …

Sp277-S Black Root Rot Of Tobacco, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Black root rot has been one of the most costly diseases of tobacco in Tennessee. This disease attacks tobacco either in the plant bed or in the field. It is a serious problem where tobacco is grown repeatedly in the same bed or field. Rarely does black root rot cause spectacular damage in any one field. It is important that growers be able to recognize black root rot and take the necessary control measures.

Sp435-C No-Till Establishment Of Forage Crops, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Agriculture has changed in many ways during the last 50 years. One of the greatest changes has been the use of no-till planting methods. When no-till planting is mentioned, most people usually think of crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton. The problem of soil erosion with conventional row-crop production has been significantly decreased by using herbicides to kill a cover crop and planting without tillage. Though often overlooked, no-till technology is also well-suited to be used in forage crop establishment.

Pb737 Commercial Tomato Production, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Commercial tomato production requires a high level of management, large labor and capital inputs and close attention to detail. Tomato production is subject to the variations that occur in weather, which may result in severe crop damage and losses. Labor requirements for production, harvesting, grading, packaging and transporting are very intense. Prices can change daily when growers are dealing on the fresh market. Gross returns to top level growers range from $1,500 to $10,000 per acre. If you plan to enter the tomato business, be sure to first study these aspects thoroughly.

Three distinct production areas exist in Tennessee. In …

Pb576 Wheat Production In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Tennessee’s climate is well suited for the production of high-quality, lowprotein, soft red winter wheat. This wheat is in demand by the flour milling industry and well-established local markets are adequate.

Tennessee-produced soft wheat is used primarily for milling general purpose or family flours, pastry flours and cake flours. Very little of Tennessee’s wheat is used for livestock feed, except as byproducts of the milling industry.

Winter wheat is a cool-season crop and can be grown successfully in all counties of the state. Soft red winter wheat varieties recommended and commonly grown in Tennessee have adequate winter hardiness to survive …

Pb1600 Control Of Voles In No-Till Corn, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Voles have historically been a problem for farmers using minimum and no-till technologies to establish field corn. As land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is returned to row crops, this problem is expected to increase. Retaining established cover by no-till farming decreases erosion, improves water quality, increases wildlife habitat and conserves moisture when compared to conventional tillage practices. However, voles that have established colonies and flourished beneath the cover established under CRP, crop residue or hay crops can devastate crop plantings. Stand reductions of 80-100 percent have been reported in no-till corn where vole numbers are high.

Pb897 Commercial Bush Snapbean Production, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Snapbean production in Tennessee ranges from 6,000 to 9,000 acres and contributes $7 to $9 million annually to the state’s economy. The major production area is located within a 50-mile radius of Crossville, with some early production in the south central portion of the state. Small acreages are grown throughout the state for local sales.

Presently, the acreage is about 45 percent processing and 55 percent fresh market. Fresh market packing operations have increased about five-fold in the last few years.

The varying elevations and temperatures enable producers to plant early at lower elevations and make summer plantings at higher …

Pb1544 Comparing The Cost Of Broadcasting Versus Injecting Nitrogen In No-Tillage Corn, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No-tillage has become a popular production option with many Tennessee farmers in the past 20 years. In 1993, no-tillage production systems were used on 290,000 acres of corn in Tennessee, or 44 percent of the total corn acreage planted in the state (TDA). Many farmers see no-tillage as a way to reduce the cost of growing corn. Others have chosen no-tillage as a way to comply with governmental regulations covering the farming of highly-erodible soils.

Input levels and prices are important to consider in any production system. A major expense in corn production is nitrogen (N) fertilizer. No-tillage budgets published …