Education Commons^™

G91-1022 Guide To Growing Houseplants, Don Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Proper care can extend houseplants' lives. This NebGuide offers hints on conditioning, light, fertilizing and more.

Many people enjoy houseplants; in fact, raising them is one of the fastest growing indoor hobbies. Caring for houseplants offers opportunities for people who like to work with living things and watch them develop. Today, houseplants are an integral part of indoor decor -- especially in winter.

An artificial indoor environment often hinders plant development. High temperatures, low humidity, lack of sunlight, poor soil conditions, and improper watering contribute to most houseplant problems. In addition, insects or plant diseases occasionally damage houseplants.

While plants …

G91-1060 Black Spot Of Roses, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Black spot, Nebraska's most troublesome rose disease, can be controlled through selection of a resistant cultivar, spaced plantings, and an active fungicide spray program.

Roses are one of the most versatile and inspiring ornamentals for landscaping. There are roses adapted for any garden site and landscape purpose. Roses are not always easy to grow and may require a little more management than other ornamentals. One of the greatest challenges to successfully growing garden roses is disease control.

G90-979 Powdery Mildew Of Roses, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Cause, symptoms of and conditions for powdery mildew are covered, as well as ways to control the disease.

The rose is one of the most popular flowering ornamentals in the world. It is thought to have first been cultivated 4,000 to 5,000 years ago in northern Africa. Today it is a favorite ornamental for landscapes, as well as the most important commercial cut flower.

G90-970 Summer Patch And Necrotic Ring Spot, John E. Watkins, Robert C. Shearman, Terrance P. Riordan

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the causes, predisposing conditions, and symptoms of summer patch and necrotic ring spot, and provides recommendations for their control.

Research since 1980 has resulted in considerable progress in identifying causes of the "patch"-type disease of turfgrass. Two of the most destructive patch diseases of turfgrasses are summer patch and necrotic ring spot.

Both summer patch and necrotic ring spot are present in Nebraska turfs. Unfortunately, necrotic ring spot and summer patch cause identical symptoms and cannot be distinguished in the field, and identification in the laboratory is time-consuming (3-6 months) and laborious.

G90-980 Rose Mosaic And Rose Rosette Diseases, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The rose mosaic and rose rosette diseases may cause a variety of symptoms, including reduced plant vigor and flower quality. Early detection is essential to control.

Roses have been cultivated as an ornamental for 4,000 to 5,000 years and now are distributed worldwide. Rose virus and virus-like diseases occur wherever roses are grown. Since roses are vegetatively-propagated through budding or grafting, these pathogenic agents are easily spread during propagation. Infection by virus or virus-like agents may cause a wide variety of symptoms. These can range from latent, symptomless infections to mosaic leaf patterns and distortions, severely distorted canes, and finally, …

G89-912 Alfalfa Crown And Root Rots And Stand Longevity, John E. Watkins, Fred A. Gray, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Causes of crown and upper root rot, symptoms and management are discussed here.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important forage crop species in North America. It is widely adapted, energy efficient, and produces the most protein yield per acre. Alfalfa is well-suited to both dryland and irrigationd soils of Nebraska.

Many factors contribute to the decline in productivity of an alfalfa stand. Under favorable growing conditions and proper management, alfalfa stands in Nebraska can last over 10 years.

G89-951 Mushrooms, Puffballs, Fairy Rings, And Slime Molds In Turfgrass, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

How do you identify -- and treat -- mushrooms, puffballs, fairy rings and slime molds? Read on.

Some mushrooms and most puffballs are edible; some are foul-smelling, many are considered unsightly, and a few are poisonous; but when they appear on a lawn, most are considered a nuisance.

G89-925 'Helminthosporium' Leaf Spot And Melting Out Diseases Of Turfgrass (Revised December 1995), John E. Watkins, Roch E. Gaussoin, Terrance P. Riordan

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Symptoms and controls for "Helminthosporium" leaf spot and melting out are discussed.

Leaf spot and melting out are two fungal diseases of turfgrass within the "Helminthosporium" leaf, crown and root disease complex. They are the most common and serious groups of cool season turfgrass diseases in North America.

G89-900 Phytophthora Root Rot Of Alfalfa, John E. Watkins, Fred A. Gray, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Disease cycle, symptoms and management practices for phytophthora root rot are discussed in this NebGuide.

Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is a major cause of seedling death in newly established alfalfa, and causes a progressive decline of established stands in Nebraska. This disease is caused by the fungus Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis and occurs in most of the alfalfa producing areas in North America.

The Phytophthora that infects alfalfa is different from the Phytophthora that causes root rot in soybeans. Growers sometimes think the two diseases are the same for the respective crops, but they are two different diseases with …

G89-931 Alfalfa Anthracnose, John E. Watkins, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Symptoms, disease cycle and control of alfalfa anthracnose are discussed here.

Forage crops are grown on and harvested from more acres in Nebraska than any other crop. Of the almost 49 million acres of agricultural land in Nebraska, approximately 24 million acres are in hay. Alfalfa production has stabilized at about two million acres.

High feed and forage production costs and periodic droughts have generated increased concern by farmers and ranchers over forage losses from diseases, insects and environmental stresses. Estimates suggest about one-fourth of the U.S. alfalfa hay crop and one-tenth of the seed crop are lost annually to …

G88-890 Pythium Blight Of Turfgrass, John E. Watkins, Robert C. Shearman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Causes, symptoms and treatment for pythium blight are covered here.

Pythium blight, sometimes called "grease spot" or "cottony blight," is no longer a disease of golf courses; it also is a serious problem in home lawns and other turfs. Caused by several species of Pythium fungi, the two most commonly associated with Pythium blight are Pythium aphanidermatum and P. graminicola. These fungi are in a group known as "the water molds," a group that includes Phytophthora and other pathogenic genera. They are referred to as "water molds" because they function best under wet, saturated soil conditions.

The Pythium species …

G87-858 Juniper Blight Diseases, Luanne V. Coziahr, David S. Wysong

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Recognition and control of several needle and twig blight pathogens which attack junipers.

Junipers are widely used throughout Nebraska in both ornamental landscape plantings and windbreaks. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), Rocky Mountain juniper (J. scopulorum), and other common juniper species are subject to attack by several needle and twig blight pathogens. It is important to properly identify and separate the diseases involved, as each may require a different procedure for effective control.

Ec86-1862 Nebraska Commercial Turfgrass Disease Control Guide For Profession Turfgrass Managers, John E. Watkins, Robert C. Shearman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This extension circular contains four-color photos to help professional turfgrass managers identify the different turfgrass diseases in Nebraska. Tables are included that describe the disease, the common name of fungicides, trade names, and descriptions of how to control these diseases.

G86-824 Snow Mold Diseases Of Turfgrasses (Revised February 1991), John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

How to identify, prevent, and control the principal snow molds of turfgrass in Nebraska.

Principal snow molds of Nebraska turfgrass are Fusarium patch (pink snow mold) and Typhula blight (gray snow mold). Of these two, Fusarium patch is usually the most prevalent and, due to the general lack of continuous snow cover during winter, probably the most damaging. Although snow molds occur on most types of turf grown in Nebraska, fine-leaved turf types are more often seriously injured than coarser lawn grasses.

G85-751 Thatch Prevention And Control (Revised July 1992), Roch E. Gaussoin, Terrance P. Riordan

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how thatch accumulation damages turfgrass sites, and gives methods for removing accumulations and preventing their reoccurrence.

Thatch is a problem on many turfgrass sites. It consists of a tightly intermingled layer of dead and decaying turfgrass tissues derived from stems, roots and leaves.

G85-742 Dollar Spot Disease Of Turfgrass, John E. Watkins, Terrance P. Riordan

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the symptoms and disease cycle of dollar spot, and provides recommendations for controlling this turfgrass disease.

Dollar spot of turfgrass is one of the most persistent diseases on golf courses in North America. All commonly grown turfgrasses in Nebraska may be attacked, but differences in susceptibility exist within cultivars of the various turf species. Presence of dollar spot in a well-managed lawn affects its aesthetic appearance and value, but usually does not threaten its survival. Lawns recover from dollar spot injury when conditions are favorable for vigorous, healthy growth.

G84-701 Septoria Leaf Blotch Of Wheat, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the symptoms and disease cycle of this wheat disease, and provides recommendations for its control.

Two species of Septoria fungi infect winter wheat in Nebraska. Septoria tritici and S. avenae f. sp. triticea cause Septoria leaf blotch. This disease is also known as "Septoria tritici blotch," "Septoria leaf spot," "Septoria blotch," "Speckled leaf blotch" or as the "Septoria complex" since both Septoria species may be present in the same fields and on the same plants.

G81-558 Tall Fescue Lawn Calendar (Revised April 2004), Terrance P. Riordan, Roch E. Gaussoin, John E. Watkins, Frederick P. Baxendale

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide on tall fescue lawns discusses the calendar dates of when to mow, fertilize, water, apply herbicides and pesticides, check for insects and diseases, remove thatch, and when to aerify and overseed.

Ec81-1869 Guide To The Identification Of Physiological Disorders Of Landscape Plants, John E. Watkins, Donald H. Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Physiological disorders are plant diseases caused by non-living agents. Other terms for this group of disorders are abiotic diseases or noninfectious diseases.

Physiological disorders are often confused with pathogen-caused diseases but they do not spread from plant to plant as do diseases caused by living organisms. Landscape plants are often exposed to toxic materials, mechanical damage, nutritional stress, homeowner neglect and other stress factors in the urban environment.

This 4-color extension publication highlights the following physiological disorders of landscape plants: sun scald, drought, lightning injury, winter injury, root girdling, iron chlorosis, salt injury, herbicide injury and air pollution.

Ec81-1870 Guide To The Identification Of Diseases Of Shrubs, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This 4-color extension circular identifies the following diseases of shrubs in the home garden and landscape disease series: rose mosaics (rose mosaic virus and rose yellow mosaic virus), rose rust, fire blight, powdery mildew, crown gall, scab, iron chlorosis, honesuckle leaf blight, and phomopsis twig blight.

G81-548 Organic Gardening In The Backyard (Revised June 1990), Dale T. Lindgren, Don Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Successful organic gardening requires consideration of many factors, including resistant cultivars, crop rotation, sanitation, incorporation of organic matter, garden location, and insect and disease control.

Organic gardening is growing in popularity. Although this technique traditionally has been limited to backyard gardens, commercial organic farms now exist in Nebraska. The phrase "organically grown" generally refers to produce grown and processed without the use of synthetic organic chemicals in pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, or flavorings. The main arguments for organic gardening are that food is less likely to contain potentially harmful chemicals and that fewer chemicals are released into the environment. Arguments against …

G80-517 Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn Calendar (Revised October 1994), Roch E. Gaussoin, Terrance P. Riordan, Garald L. Horse, John E. Watkins, Frederick P. Baxendale

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication calendar contains information on mowing, fertilizing, waternig, herbicides, insect control, disease control, thatch removal, aerification, and overseeding of a Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn.

G80-488 Spring And Summer Black Stem Diseases Of Alfalfa (Revised June 1992), John E. Watkins, Fred A. Gray

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Spring and summer black stem of alfalfa, their causes, symptoms, and control are discussed.

Of the two black stem diseases found in the central and northern Great Plains, spring black stem predominates summer black stem. Both are damaging when weather conditions favor their development. Although their symptoms differ, each causes spotting and darkening of stems and spotting of leaves.

Ec79-1206 Roses, Donald H. Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, John E. Watkins, Amy Greving

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Roses are one of the most versatile and exciting plant groups to use in landscape compositions. There are rose cultivars (varieties) adapted for almost any garden site or landscape purpose, including formal beds and perennial borders, arbors, trellises, hedges, ground covers, steep banks, edging, accent, specimen plants, and as patio or tub plants.

The most common rose types are hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, and climbers. More people are becoming familiar with the so-called "old fashioned" or shrub roses. Many of these are well-adapted to Nebraska and to water-conserving landscapes.

G79-445 Soybean Variety Selection, Leroy V. Svec

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide has information on soybean characteristics that should be considered before selecting a variety to plant.

Soybean characteristics that need to be considered in making the selection of a variety to plant include maturity, yield potential, plant type, height, seed size, emergence score, lodging, shattering, and disease and insect resistance. Many years are required to develop a new variety from the time an initial cross of soybeans is made until the time seed is available on a widespread basis. The advance of a potential variety through the early generations may be accomplished with only a few seeds of the …

G79-429 Tan Spot Disease Of Wheat (Revised June 1993), John E. Watkins, Robert N. Klein, Eric D. Kerr

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the development of tan spot disease in wheat and gives recommendations for controlling it by means of crop rotation, fungicides and good crop residue management.

Tan spot, caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is a major leafspot disease of winter wheat in the Great Plains of North America. It has become an increasing problem in wheat cropping systems using conservation tillage. Although tan spot can be a serious threat by itself, it more often occurs as a part of a foliar disease complex involving tan spot, leaf rust and Septoria leaf blotch. Usually tan spot symptoms …

Ec79-1863 Dry Edible Bean Diseases, James R. Steadman, Eric D. Kerr, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This extension circular discusses the diseases and symptoms of dry edible beans. Diseases discussed here include: common bacterial blight, halo blight, brown spot, wilt, fusarium root rot, rhizoctonia root rot, white mold, bronzing, and rust.

G76-292 Home Fruit Spray Schedules (Revised May 1986), Frederick P. Baxendale, Don Steinegger, David Wysong

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Insects and diseases of home fruit plantings must be controlled to produce quality fruit. Home orchards must be sprayed several times during the growing season. Spraying only a few times will not produce acceptable results for most fruits.

This NebGuide discusses the types of sprays, sprayers, insecticides, insecticides and fungicides used to control insects.

G76-322 How To Handle Insect And Plant Specimens For Identification (Revised March 1985), Luanne Coziahr, Stephen D. Danielson, John Furrer, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service offers the public a pest/plant identification service. Under this service, insects, weeds, plant diseases, and horticultural plants are identified and, if appropriate, methods for their prevention or control are recommended. Diagnoses of plant problems and control recommendations will be more precise if specimens are handled according to the suggestions offered in this NebGuide.

G76-301 How To Tell Corn, Sorghum Maturity, J.D. Eastin, J.T. Hultquist, C.Y. Sullivan

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Researchers have discovered a way to tell when corn and grain sorghum have stopped filling — when they are physiologically mature. A layer of cells near the point where the kernel is attached to the plant turns dark brown as the kernel nears maturity and, finally, black when the kernel is mature.

This NebGuide discusses how to read maturity in the layers of corn and sorghum.