Current insecticide recommendations for commercial pecan orchards in Louisiana. This illustrated guide provides information on insecticides, rates of application, and timing of applications. For each insect listed, a photo of the insect, damage caused by the insect or both are provided.

This guide includes helpful information on herbicides and weed control with detailed suggestions for aquatics, commercial nursery stock, field crops, forestry, fruit crops, home gardens, lawns and many other Louisiana crops. It includes information on different types of herbicide registrations, as well as information on herbicide labels and restricted uses. Also included are sprayer calibration techniques, suggestions for reducing herbicide drift and a guide to proper spray tip selection.

The cold weather we typically receive now through January can cause problems for home and commercial citrus in our area. It is important to know the critical temperatures and the factors affecting them.

The LSU AgCenter leads with the world’s most popular and best-tasting sweet potato, the Beauregard. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the introduction of this variety, way back in 1987, the sweet potato industry probably wouldn’t exist today in the state. In 2006, the most recent figures, the contribution that sweet potatoes made to the Louisiana economy was more than $100 million.

Photograph and accompanying text on rice panicle size in relation to fungicide timing, dew and guttation affects on rice disease activity, identification of rice weeds, and rice insect pest management.

This page provides information on pecan pollen shed and pistillate flower receptivity dates for numerous pecan cultivars. This information is useful for determining which pecan cultivars will pollinate other cultivars.

The best plots at the Iberia Research Station are about 8 feet tall and varietal differences in height and plant population are evident.

Photographs and accompanying text on rice plant growth stage, rice disease identification and control measures, weed identification, and iron problematic issues in rice fields

The use of plastic mulch is a common practice for strawberry and vegetable growers, but there are two major problems with plastic mulch: it is expensive to install and at some point it has to be removed from the field. Several machines are available that help simplify the removal of the mulch.

A prescribe burn plan should be completed by each grower before the harvest season. One plan can be completed for an entire farm or for an individual field. All information needed to plan and conduct a burn and for comments concerning the burn is contained in the form. The plan was devised to help farm operators control the burning of sugarcane to lessen their impact on public health and welfare, which includes pre-burn considerations and weather information.

A lot has happened since my last blog. Let me see if I can get you caught up…On Friday, June 20, we began to see a few heads emerge from the flag leaf of the Dale and the Theis varieties.

LSU AgCenter’s participation at the Biomass and Energy Awareness Days (BEAD II) EXPO in Washington, D.C., June 19-22, was a success.

This newsletter provides valuable information for the Louisiana sugarcane producer on current events to include status of sugarcane disaster money, an update on sugarcane varieties, growth measurements, weed pressure, disease and insect information for Louisiana sugarcane farmers and processors. Click here to read more.

When growing carrots for commercial production, it is helpful to run a knife in the soil beside the rows. This breaks up any soil compaction, allowing the carrot roots to grow straight.

Symptoms of soybean rust appear identical regardless if they are caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi or Phakopsora meibomiae. Host plants infected with soybean rust first exhibit small lesions that gradually increase in size and turn from gray to tan or brown. They become polygonally shaped restricted by leaf veins, and may eventually reach 2 to 3 square millimeters.

Photographs and accompanying text on fungicide applications, rice potassium deficiency, and rice panicle development.

Photographs and accompanying text on firing of rice leaf tips and rice insect pest identification and control.

Photographs and accompanying text on rice seed panicle development, sugarcane borer damage to rice plants and 2-4,D rice injury.

This publication includes information on soil preparation, fertilization, training, pruning, nutrient solutions, pollination, harvesting, marketing, and insect and disease control for greenhouse tomatoes.

This page contains the contact information for the parish county agents.

Both nymphs and adults cause damage by feeding with their piercing mouthparts.

Three images from the Lacassine site planting study.

Sweet sorghum growing at the Macon Ridge Research Station near Winnsboro, LA.

Field was sprayed right after planting with 1 quart/acre of Atrazine as a pre-emergence herbicide.

The sweet sorghum varieties Dale, M81-E, Theis, and Topper were planted in a variety trial at the Hill Farm Research Station on April 16, 2008.

Sweet sorghum plots at Jeanerette are now benefitting from hot temperatures, adequate moisture and available fertilizer.

Provides a list of plant hosts for Asian Soybean Rust.

Eclipta is a member of the Sunflower family, Asteraceae. Its flowers are numerous in a tight head.

Rice stink bugs (Oebalus pugnax) are the most important insect pest of headed rice in Louisiana.

This publication emphasizes the use of a total integrated management system to reduce wheat diseases and the damage they cause in the field.

Photographs and accompanying text describing rice disease and hail damage.

Photogaphs of red ludwigia or waterpurslane.

Citrus trees that survived hurricane damage may have lost significant amounts of foliage. These trees could experience a strong flush as they start their own healing process. This is very important because new foliage will provide nutrients needed for winter survival and faster tree recovery. Producers must implement practices to protect from additional leaf loss which can be caused by the citrus leafminer.

Nematodes are a serious pest to both our sweet potato industry and for those people growing them in a home garden. These pests affect the total production and quality of the sweet potato. Since the damage occurs to roots below ground, they are often not recognized as being a problem.

The key components of the effective use of fungicides for pecan disease control are timing, coverage, and concentration. The updated 2007 fungicide list is included.

This study aims to identify and compare the performance of major yield components of doubled haploid (DH) lines influencing yield under irrigated conditions.

(Distributed 06/17/08) The LSU AgCenter has conducted a considerable amount of evaluation research on crape myrtles over the last 10-plus years, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. “Probably 40-50 varieties are worthy of being grown and sold in Louisiana,” Owing says.

Sweet potatoes are not very sweet or moist when first dug. It takes six to eight weeks of proper curing and storage before they have the sweet, moist taste and texture desired when baked, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

Photographs and accompanying text on rice plant panicle development and irrigation polypipe.

Photographs and accompanying text on torpedograss, black rice bug identification, sugarcane borer activity in rice, and panicle development in rice plants.

The ability of farmers to burn sugarcane is a significant economic factor for the state’s sugarcane industry. Burning of sugarcane before harvest eliminates from 30 percent to 50 percent of the leafy trash (residue), which constitutes from 20 percent to 25 percent of the total weight of the plant.

The LSU AgCenter is also conducting a sweet sorghum trial at the Rice Research Station South Farm location.

Table and accompanying text on rice disease management, scouting procedures, rice variety reaction to major diseases and disease control strategies.

These guidelines are intended to help manage smoke and ash from sugarcane prescribed burning operations to lessen their impact on public health and welfare.

There is a wide range of seeder types and models available for direct seeding vegetable crops. Smaller growers typically use the less expensive seeders; larger growers can justify more expensive precision seeders.

This report presents results from a 2007 survey of rice production cropland rental arrangments in Louisiana. Results include average cash rent paid on a per land tract, per rice base acre and per rice planted acre basis. Additional information is also included for common share rental arrangements.

This page contains the 2005 small grain data report.

Photographs and accompanying text on herbicide drift, insect identification, weed identification, nutrient deficiency, water management for rice production and fungicide rates.

This 2008 guide was compiled by LSU AgCenter experts and includes regulations, precautions and suggestions for pest control in Louisiana. Detailed topics include drift of pesticides, hazards of pesticides to beneficial insects and wildlife, phytotoxicity and using beneficial insects to control pest populations. A section on organic gardening also is included.

County Agent Jimmy Flanagan viewing a plot of sweet sorghum that had an excessive amount of annual weeds.

Precision Agriculture and Soils

Photographs and accompanying text describing internode elongation (green ring), panicle differentiation, the Cercopspora complex, a table on fungicide rates and the adult rice leaf miner.

Photographs and accompanying discussion of Narrow Brown Leaf Spot disease, herbicide injury and localized decline in rice.

Photographs and accompanying text on phosphorus deficiency, glyphosate rice injury, chinch bug and rice water weevil activity, and aerial applications.

Sweet sorghum plots at the Iberia Research Station were fertilized after emergence on May 12

Cone guide wheels are the heart of a precision cultural system (PCS). Cone guide wheels allow an implement to follow along a shaped bed with no effort on the part of the tractor driver.

Photographs and accompanying text showing and explaining Newpath injury on rice.

Photographs and accompanying text describing the rice water weevil, localized decline of rice and lightning injury in rice.

Photographs and accompanying text describing chinch bugs and armyworms in rice.

Photographs and accompanying text describing temperature inversions, herbicide drift and nutrient deficiencies in rice.

Photographs and accompanying text describing the pupal stages and puparia of the rice water weevil.

A series of photographs depicting key growth stages in the development of rice before heading. Some of these are important in rice managment.

This guide for 2008 contains suggestions for management of the most important or more prevalent diseases of Louisiana plants. It includes information on fungicides, bactericides and nematicides, as well as safety precautions for using them.

The information in this article was an exhibition at the LSU Hill Memorial Library. the exhibit was compiled by Christina Riquelmy and Debra Currie in 1996 to mark the 300th year of sugarcane growth in Louisiana.

Photographs and accompanying text on slow-growing rice, rice water weevil and chinch bug management, phosphorus deficiency and lightning storm damage on wheat.

The article provides a brief description of factors to consider when harvesting and storing pecans.

An illustrated fact sheet describing the appearance and life cycle of the black pecan aphid. A description of the damage and information on sampling are included.

An illustrated fact sheet describing the appearance and life cycle of the hickory shuckworm. Information about damage and control are included.

This article provides information on storing shelled and unshelled pecans. A table indicating the average shelf life of pecans when stored at various temperatures is included.

For more than two decades there was uncertainty about the cause of a common disease among pecan trees referred to as leaf scorch. LSU AgCenter researchers were able to distinguish the cause of the disease, which has improved pecan production.

An illustrated fact sheet describing the appearance and life cycle of the pecan weevil. Information on damage and control are also included.

Photographs and accompanying text on red rice invading rice fields, seedling rice emergence, and planting rice in stubble ground.

Photographs of spikerush (Eleocharis sp.)

Photographs and accompanying text describing herbicide injury on rice plants.

This page contains the map of Louisiana Research Stations and Soil Map

This powerpoint presentation includes pictures of insects and mites that attack commercial citrus groves in Louisiana. It also discusses a recommended insecticide plan to control these insects and mites to minimize their impact on yield in citrus groves. Be sure to check and make sure all chemicals that are recommended are currently labeled before applying them to citrus trees.

This presentation includes a number of pictures of insects and mites that attack backyard citrus in Louisiana. It also includes current recommendations for control. Note that you should check to make sure that all insecticides are currently labeled before using them on your citrus.

Sweet Sorghum Blog from the Iberia Research Station on 5/9/2008

Proper nitrogen fertilizer management is critical for high rice grain yields. The source of the nitrogen fertilizer, the placement of the fertilizer in the field, the application rate and application timing should all be carefully considered when developing a fertilizer management plan.

Salt water can become a problem in rice production, especially in some areas in dry years. This table can be used as a guide for tolerance of rice to salt water.

This publication helps to understand the importance of calibration of sprayers. Hand-ons examples guide the reader through different phases of calibration. (PDF Format Only)

Adding value to sugarcane has always been the mission of the LSU AgCenter’s Audubon Sugar Institute. But that mission has taken a new twist in these times of high fuel costs. One of newest projects is making ethanol from cane.

Traditional pot-in-pot production in a nursery attempts to combine field and container-growing techniques and offers advantages over both production systems.

This article examines the impact on profits of planting grain sorghum late. Late planting generally occurs when grain sorghum follows winter wheat. Grain sorghum planted beyond the optimum planting window has lower yields and increased insect pressure. These two factors combine to drastically reduce the profit potential compared to grain sorghum planted in the optimal planting window.

Plant bugs have become a very serious insect pest of cotton in the Midsouth. Control is often difficult because of high population densities and resistance. Follow these best management practices to help reduce the cost of plant bug control.

5/2/2008 It rained approximately 1.4 inches this past Saturday. This rain helped the sorghum to move quite a bit since last week’s blog.

This article will provide a description, lifecycle, and damage to the crop caused by the rice stink bug. As well as recommendations for prevention and control.

Photographs and accompanying text on permanent rice flood, rice stand counts, identification of eclipta and fall panicum, rice water weevil damage, and rice seedling germination.

Photographs and accompanying text on rice bronzing, weed seedling identification, starter fertilizer and chinch bugs.

This page provides a description of the lifecycle, damage to crop, and how to prevent and manage the rice leafminer in rice.

Sweet Sorghum images from County Agents Whatley and Hogan.

The Southeast Research Station, located in the states dairy area is working on sweet sorghum studies aiming on evaluation of ethanol production potential.

4/25/2008 - On Monday of this week we noticed that many leaves of the sweet sorghum plants had a purplish tint to them.

Photographs and accompanying text illustrating leaf miners and localized decline in rice.

On April 23rd Dr. Ronnie Levy and I scouted a field in Acadia Parish and found it to be heavily infested with first instar chinch bug nymphs and shield bugs. This article includes pictures of the infestation and describes recommendations for control.

This PDF file provides a description of LSU AgCenter Bioenergy Projects and the faculty leading the research and outreach.

The mature rice kernel or grain is made up of several parts.

Copy of the 2005 Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program Report. These recommendations included, but were not limited to: Fertilization, weed control, disease control, insect control and water management to a limited degree. The fields were followed from planting to harvest.

Copy of the 2004 Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program Report. These recommendations included, but were not limited to: Fertilization, weed control, disease control, insect control and water management to a limited degree. The fields were followed from planting to harvest.

Copy of the 2003 Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program Report. These recommendations included, but were not limited to: Fertilization, weed control, disease control, insect control and water management to a limited degree. The fields were followed from planting to harvest.

Copy of the 2002 Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program Report. These recommendations included, but were not limited to: Fertilization, weed control, disease control, insect control and water management to a limited degree. The fields were followed from planting to harvest.

Copy of the 2001 Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program Report. These recommendations included, but were not limited to: Fertilization, weed control, disease control, insect control and water management to a limited degree. The fields were followed from planting to harvest.

Copy of the 2000 Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program Report. These recommendations included, but were not limited to: Fertilization, weed control, disease control, insect control and water management to a limited degree. The fields were followed from planting to harvest.

Copy of the 1999 Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program Report. These recommendations included, but were not limited to: Fertilization, weed control, disease control, insect control and water management to a limited degree. The fields were followed from planting to harvest.

Copy of the 1998 Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program Report. These recommendations included, but were not limited to: Fertilization, weed control, disease control, insect control and water management to a limited degree. The fields were followed from planting to harvest.

Some Louisiana agricultural producers are being squeezed by rising energy costs and stagnant prices for their crops, while other producers are buoyed by rising commodity prices that offset those cost increases, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

A description of how biomass is being used for energy in Louisiana with an emphasis on the potential for expansion in the industry. (Revised 11/06)

This report presents estimates of projected production costs for the production of cotton, soybeans, corn, milo and wheat in Northeast Louisiana for the 2008 crop year.

(Radio News 01/07/08) Large acreage shifts and good prices marked agricultural production in 2007 according to LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry. High yields also were a big topic throughout the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

This report presents estimates of projected production costs for the production of cotton, soybeans, corn, milo and wheat in the Red River area of Louisiana for the 2008 crop year.

Louisiana’s agricultural producers already faced problems including drought, high fuel and fertilizer costs and low prices for their commodities in 2005 – even before the hurricanes struck, an LSU AgCenter economist said Friday (Jan. 27).

Farmers are enjoying their first improved commodities market in several years. Record yields and good prices in 2003 helped offset losses from the previous four to five years.

While equipment companies are doing their part to reduce corrosion of tractors and farm equipment, how well you maintain your machinery will determine its useful life. Here are some rust prevention tips.

Several ongoing projects teach young people and adults that much of their necessities begin with farmers.

The LSU AgCenter operates 25 weather stations at research stations and other cooperating locations throughout Louisiana. The Louisiana Agriclimatic Information System privides temperature and humidity data that researchers can correlate to livestock and crop production. Each station provides minute-by-minute measurements of air temperature, rainfall, wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, solar radiation and soil temperature.

(Distributed 07/02/04) Some people say summer is sweet – or at least that’s the opinion when it comes to watermelons.

MARKSVILLE – Tree farming is a good alternative for landowners to consider in making long-term investments in their land resources, but some knowledge is required to protect that investment.

Irrigation ponds can irrigate fields during the summer without resorting to pumping water from wells.

A common problem with hydraulic cylinders is rust and pitting of the cylinder rods. If equipment that incorporates hydraulic cylinders is stored outside with the cylinder rods extended, the rods are exposed to weathering. Eventually, the rods will begin to show specks of rust that develop into pits. Once rusting and pitting occur, the rod will destroy the cylinder seal the next time it is activated.

Mayhaw Association members met in Alexandria to learn about new developments. The health benefits and commercial uses of the fruit were discussed. New varieties and harvesting techniques were also examined.

The dry weather really shows areas in fields that have been damaged by plant nematodes. Plants that are already weakened by the presence of nematodes simply cannot handle the additional stress produced by drought.

Farm and grounds maintenance equipment is often exposed to rain, high humidity, fertilizer, pesticides and corrosive plant materials (such as grass clippings). The manufacturers of that equipment have taken steps to try to protect the equipment and reduce the potential for corrosion.

Great prices and good weather have generated plenty of optimism.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns made a brief stop at a storm-damaged farm in Calcasieu Parish Wednesday morning (Oct. 5) to learn how Hurricane Rita devastated the region’s agriculture.

This article provides links to sources for plastic mulch lifters.

This article discusses the sap beetle (also called a picnic beetle) Lobiopa insularis (Cast.), which is a late-season pest of strawberries.

This article provides and description of the two-spotted spider mites on strawberries. It also provides a recommended spray schedule to control these mites in Louisiana strawberry fields.

This gallery includes pictures of insects that attack citrus in Louisiana.

Sweet Sorghum Blog from the Iberia Research Station.

Laccassine SitePlanted April 15Double drilled on 72” rows, 200’ long, one variety per row(M81, Theis, Dale, Topper) .Planted with commercial vacuum drill

South Lake Charles Site First planting April 1, second planting April 15, future planting April 29 Demonstration objective -- Date of planting, yield and optimum harvest

Kinder field Demo Planted 4/1/2008 4 varieties (Dale, Topper, M81, Theis) replicated 4 times on 32” rows; single drill.

This page contains the 2004 small grain data report.

Cultivation is essential for nearly all commercial vegetable crops since herbicide choices are limited and vegetable crops cannot tolerate much weed competition. A basic sweep cultivator can do an excellent job of precision cultivation if set up and equipped properly.

Precision vertical plate seeders are available for planting many vegetable crops. These seeders use a vertical metal plate with the cells (holes) on the edge.

Genetically engineered plants are an important part of integrated pest management (IPM) programs in cotton production. One such plant, Bollgard cotton, includes a gene from a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, that is toxic to caterpillar pests, while being safe for humans, other animals and the environment.

Photographs and discussion of blackbird damage to rice, identification of weed seedlings, alligatorweed control and yellow rice.

Considerable research has been done by LSU AgCenter scientists on wheat/soybean double-cropping systems since the 1970s. This fact sheet compiles research and observations from recent studies in Central Louisiana to aid producers in developing soybean production practices in a wheat/soybean double-cropping system.

Sweet potatoes are an important commodity in Louisiana. Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide sweet potato growers guidelines on what practices they can implement to reduce the impact agricultural practices may have on the environment.

LSU AgCenter researchers recently completed a study that examines the marketing and economic feasibility of using sugarcane rind as a supplemental raw material for manufacturing oriented strand board (OSB) and similar products.

The program continues to provide an accurate evaluation of current recommendations and provide insight into other areas of research.

Photographs and accompanying text describing principles of emergence, symptoms of Clincher herbicide, iron plaque on rice roots, and salt injury to rice reproduction.

All vegetable seeders require openers, coverers and presswheels to provide a furrow for the seeds and to then cover the seeds and assure proper soil contact. These devices must be matched to the soil type and condition for optimum germination and seedling vigor.

The April 2007 newsletter provides valuable information for the Louisiana sugarcane producer on current events to include status of hurricane disaster payments, the 2006 variety survey and weed and insect control measures for consideration during the early spring months. Click here for more information.

In order to maximize the return on fertilizer investment and ensure minimal environmental damage, it is necessary to follow sound, research-backed guidelines provided in this article. Producers will harvest better yields and make more profit.

Photographs and accompanying text on rice zinc deficiency (bronzing), soil-water management, and herbicide weed control.

Photographs and accompanying text describing cold temperature effects, seedling emergence and mud plantain.

Number of seed/pound, seeding rate/acre, spacing, planting dates, optimum soil temperature range for germination, depth to plant seed, days to germinate, days from planting to harvest begins, approximate time from pollination to market and recommended varieties included.

Photographs and accompanying text showing rice seedling growth