White mold in cropland
Some years farmers plant corn while other years they plant soybeans, wheat, or any other crop in the same field. This annual change in crops is called crop rotation. Almost every farmer practices some sort of crop rotation. Different crops use varying amounts of nutrients and by rotating crops, nutrient levels balance and noticeably higher yields can be attained.
White mold has been a problem in many fields in the US. The bad news is that this strain of mold hurts yields dramatically in soybeans, and the fungus can stay in fields for over 10 years. The good news is that corn, wheat and many other crops can be planted in the field instead. By simply removing soybeans from the crop rotation on the specific field for a few years, it can decrease the severity of white mold in future soybean crops.
Hot, moist areas of fields have the highest concentrations of white mold because molds thrive in those conditions; unfortunately, so do crops. Some tips to control white mold include:
White mold has been a problem in many fields in the US. The bad news is that this strain of mold hurts yields dramatically in soybeans, and the fungus can stay in fields for over 10 years. The good news is that corn, wheat and many other crops can be planted in the field instead. By simply removing soybeans from the crop rotation on the specific field for a few years, it can decrease the severity of white mold in future soybean crops.
Hot, moist areas of fields have the highest concentrations of white mold because molds thrive in those conditions; unfortunately, so do crops. Some tips to control white mold include:
· Remove soybeans from crop rotation for a few years
· Try to plant white mold tolerant soybean seeds
· Plant soybeans in wider rows, like 30”
· Spray a fungicide designed to treat white mold
If left untreated, white mold can become a serious problem. If the right actions are done to decrease white mold, fields will produce high yields of soybeans once again.
- Colvin
Posted by Colvin & Co. at 8/26/2009 7:30 AM 
Categories: Farmland
Tags: farming agriculture soybeans corn
Categories: Farmland
Tags: farming agriculture soybeans corn
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