The next 4-5 weeks is the time to consider making a foliar application for aphids in wheat.A late-winter, foliar insecticide application, at least on wheat not having an insecticide seed treatment, has shown a consistent yield benefit.

Researchers at Iowa State University have generated a draft genome sequence of Fusarium virguliforme, a pathogen that causes sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soybeans.

In 2011, University of Kentucky set up 3 commercial-scale, on-farm fungicide tests in fields of yellow and white corn in West Kentucky. A single fungicide application resulted in 20+ bushel yield increases in 2 of the 3 tests.

DuPont Prevathon insect control powered by Rynaxypyr has received United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for use on cereal crops, including wheat, most other small grains and sorghum. Prevathon was first registered in 2011 for use on cotton, corn, pasture and hay crops, including alfalfa. It provides control against lepidopteran worms, such as fall armyworm, true armyworm, corn earworm, sorghum webworm and loopers.

Below are brief descriptions of herbicides introduced over the past year or so.

Populations of European corn borer (ECB), a major corn crop pest, have declined significantly in the eastern United States, according to Penn State researchers. The decline suggests that the use of genetically modified, ECB-resistant corn hybrids an expensive, yet effective, solution that has been widely adopted by farmers may now be unnecessary in some areas.

Purdue University researchers have confirmed the long-held hypothesis that sorghum deters insects from feeding on its leaves by releasing hydrogen cyanide.