THE AGRONOMY GUIDE Precautions on Pesticide Use About the Guide • Use of Restricted Pesticides Requires Certification

2021–2022 THE AGRONOMY GUIDE Precautions on Pesticide Use About the Guide • Use of restricted pesticides requires certification. The Penn State Agronomy Guide is designed for easy reading • Use pesticides only when necessary. and quick reference. • Use pesticides only at the recommended dosages and timing to keep residues on crops and animals within the In Part I: Crop and Soil Management, the sections on specific limits set by law. crops include information about: • Avoid spray or dust drift to other crops and bee yards. • Varieties • Cover food and water containers in livestock areas. • Nutritional Requirements • Read the label and follow safety precautions listed. • Establishment • Maintain a pesticide use record and inventory. Wear • Harvesting protective masks and clothing if so directed on label. • Special Considerations • Avoid inhaling pesticides. • Never eat or smoke while spraying or dusting. In Part II: Pest Management, the sections on pest control for • Avoid spilling spray materials on skin and clothing. If specific crops include information on: spilled, wash off immediately with soap and water. • Weeds • Wash hands and face and change to clean clothing after • Insects spraying or dusting. Wash spray clothing after each day’s • Diseases use. • Store pesticides in original containers and out of reach The College of Agricultural Sciences strongly recommends of children, pets, and livestock, and away from food that you have a soil test made to determine your lime and fer- and feed; keep in a locked storeroom or cabinet marked tilizer needs before using the suggestions presented through- “Pesticides—Keep Out!” out this book. Success is directly related to correct analysis of • Dispose of empty containers so that they are no longer a your soils. hazard to people, especially children, and animals. This guide is not a substitute for the product label. Please • Do not contaminate streams, ponds, and water sources consult a current product label for detailed usage information. or endanger wildlife. The Penn State Agronomy Guide was prepared by • If poisoning symptoms develop from pesticides, medi- extension and resident staff members in the Departments cines, or any other poison source, show your physician a of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Agricultural label of the material involved. He or she can phone one Economics, Sociology, and Education; Ecosystem Science of the Poison Control Centers for complete treatment and Management; Entomology; Plant Pathology and Envi- information. ronmental Microbiology; and Plant Science; representatives • Before using any pesticide, read the directions. of the U.S. Pasture Laboratory; county agricultural extension • The National Poison Center Hotline number is educators; representatives of the fertilizer, lime, pesticide, and 1-800-222-1222. seed industries; and representatives of state agricultural and environmental government agencies. Project Coordinators Part I: Crop and Soil Management John Tooker Part II: Pest Management Dwight Lingenfelter John Tooker Cover image courtesy of Sjoerd Duiker. Contents I Crop and Soil Management 1. Soil Management ........................................................... 1 2. Soil Fertility Management ............................................ 22 3. Storing Seed and Grain ............................................... 62 4. Corn ............................................................................. 69 5. Grain Sorghum ............................................................ 85 6. Soybean ....................................................................... 88 7. Small Grains ................................................................ 95 8. Forages ...................................................................... 102 9. Nontraditional Soil Amendments ............................... 131 10. Cover Crops ............................................................ 136 11. Organic Crop Production ......................................... 155 12. Farm Management: Enterprise Budgets.................. 164 II Pest Management 1. Pest Management ..................................................... 179 2. Corn Pest Management ............................................ 238 3. Sorghum Pest Management ...................................... 345 4. Soybean Pest Management ...................................... 374 5. Small Grain Pest Management .................................. 455 6. Forage Pest Management ......................................... 486 Appendix Weights, Measures, and Conversion Factors ................ 547 Key for Identifying Common Grassy Weed Seedlings in Pennsylvania ................................... 549 Key for Identifying Common Broadleaved Weed Seedlings in Pennsylvania ................................... 550 Plant Parts and Leaf Shapes and Arrangements .......... 551 Part I Contents The Climate of Pennsylvania �� 2 The Soils of Pennsylvania�� 3 Part I, Section 1 1� Eastern Lake Shore �� 4 2� Glaciated Region of the Appalachian Plateau �� 4 3� Allegheny High Plateau �� 4 4� Glaciated Low Plateau �� 4 Soil Management 5� Pittsburgh Plateau �� 4 6� Allegheny Mountain �� 4 S. W. Duiker 7� Ridge and Valley Province �� 5 Professor of Soil Management and Applied Soil Physics, Penn State 8� Blue Ridge �� 5 9� Triassic Lowlands �� 5 10� Conestoga Valley �� 5 11� Piedmont Upland �� 5 12� Coastal Plain �� 5 Soil Health �� 5 Improving Soil Health �� 11 Soil Erosion �� 12 Water Erosion �� 13 Tillage Erosion �� 15 Soil Compaction �� 16 Tillage Management �� 18 Tillage Tools �� 18 Tillage Classification �� 19 Status of Soil Tillage in Pennsylvania �� 20 Agricultural Drainage �� 20 Tables Table 1.1-1. Selected properties and typical capabilities of major Pennsylvania soils. ................................................................................6 Table 1.1-2. Ideal soil bulk densities and root-growth-limiting bulk densities for soils of different textures..................................................11 Table 1.1-3. Typical crop residue production of different crops in rotation. ..............................................................................................12 Table 1.1-4. Land use statistics. .........................................................20 Figures Figure 1.1-1. Average annual precipitation in Pennsylvania, 1981–2010. ..........................................................................................2 Figure 1.1-2. Mean departure of 28°F during spring in Pennsylvania. .......................................................................................2 Figure 1.1-3. Mean onset of 28°F during fall in Pennsylvania. ................2 Figure 1.1-4. Average moisture balance for Meadville, Lewisburg, and Lancaster. ......................................................................................3 Figure 1.1-5. Soil regions of Pennsylvania. ............................................4 Figure 1.1-6. The textural triangle quickly helps to determine the textural classification of a soil from the percentages of sand, silt, and clay it contains. ......................................................................10 Figure 1.1-7. No-till soil profile changes compared to changes in a tilled soil profile. ............................................................................13 Figure 1.1-8. Three causes of erosion resulting from tilling soils on slopes. ...........................................................................................15 Figure 1.1-9. Topsoil compaction is caused by contact pressure, whereas lower subsoil compaction is caused by axle load. .................16 Figure 1.1-1. Average annual precipitation in Pennsylvania, 1981– The Climate of Pennsylvania 2010� Pennsylvania’s climate is highly affected by movements of cold air masses descending from the north and subtropical air masses moving up from the south. Each spring the battle is on, with frigid air causing temperatures to descend below freezing alternating with periods when the mercury may rise above 80°F. Without large mountain ranges or water bodies surrounding the state, these air movements have fair play in the Commonwealth. Hurricanes

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