Al6—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 13,1982
Safer grain fumigant available for Md, farmers
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Maryland farmers who store gram
may want to try a fumigant that is
safer, less expensive, and as ef
fective as any previously
recommended, according to Ex
tension entomologist Lee Heilman.
Heilman, speaking here at the
1982 Maryland Agricultural
Manage alfalfa for optimum regrowth
UNIVERSITY PARK - Spring
growth of alfalfa originates from
the buds of crowns that survive the
winter. This early spring growth is
achieved at the expense of car
bohydrates stored m the taproot.
According to William C.
Stringer, assistant professor of
crop science at Penn State, as
more leaf area accumulates, the
developing alfalfa loses its
dependence on reserves and
depends on daily photosynthesis.
As the plant accumulates more
leaf area, energy is available to
restore the root reserves to a
higher level.
Spring growth is rapid because
of milk temperatures and ample
moisture. For this reason, the first
cut is usually the largest harvest.
When the cut is made, the plant
leaf area is removed, early
recovery depends upon root-stored
energy.
When the first cut is made at the
early bud stage, root reserves are
relatively high, but not at peak
levels. Later cuts at early to mid
bloom stages allow the plants to
reach peak reserve levels.
Stringer recommends taking the
first cut at early bud stage because
Soil scientist joins U.
NEWAKK, Del. - James
Thomas Sims, a specialist in soil
fertility and plant nutrition, has
joined the staff of the University of
Delaware’s department of plant
science. A native of Columbus,
Ga., Suns holds B.S. and M.S.
degrees in soil fertility from the
University of Georgia. He earned
his doctorate in soil chemistry at
Michigan State University,
studying phosphorus adsorption
and availability tor crop uptake.
At Delaware Sims will teach an
undergraduate course in soil
fertility and an advanced graduate
course in plant nutrition. He will
also conduct research in the area
of soil fertility.
COMING FEBRUARY 23 & 24
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IN NEXT WEEK'S ISSUE OF
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ALUS CHALMERS AND NEW IDEA
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ROY H. A m
BUCH, INC.
Ephrata RD 2, PA
Phone 717-859-2441
Pesticide Conference last Friday
talked about the various controls
needed to eliminate pests in stored
grains.
"Hydrogen phosphide has been
used in large gram storage
operations both on farms and at
commercial facilities in western
and midwestern states for several
soil temperatures and moisture
are at optimum levels for
regrowth. Higher temperatures
and lower moisture levels during
summer place the plants under
stress, and their daily productivity
is lower than it is in the spring.
Stringer adds that insect and
disease pest can add to the stress
problem. Therefore, it is important
to let the plants reach a more
mature stage m summer. This
allows a reserve to develop in the
taproot.
In Pennsylvania, it is recom
mended that summer growths be
allowed 35-42 days to reach the
early bloom stage before cutting. A
common cutting schedule for
central Pennsylvania might be
May 25-July 2-August 10. Such a
schedule, with good fertility and
pest management, should result in
persistent stands and high yields.
What should be done for autumn
management?
Mid-September cuttings have
been frowned upon in the past
because the plant is budding up
reserves, beginning to develop cold
hardiness, and laying down crown
buds for winter. However, con-
of Del.
James T. Sims
years," Heilman said. Adequate
supplies of liquid fumigants, and
lack of availability of hydrogen
phosphide in a form readily usable
by fanners limited its use in the
east. Now he says he believes the
situation has been reversed.
“Hydrogen phosphide is
available through eastern
siderable growth can occur during
this time which would be wasted if
not cut.
Preliminary results from new
experiments indicated that with
adequate fertility and
management and ample recovery
time before the autumn cut (42
days) plant survival and
productivity may be unharmed.
Stringer says that more in
formation will be coming on this
topic as future experiments are
completed.
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717-354-4631
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distributors and there may be
some limits on the availability of
liquid fumigants in the future,”
Heilman said.
A dry fumigant, hydrogen
phosphide, is available as a tablet
or a pellet. As it decomposes it
releases phosphine, a gas that is
lethal to all known stored gram
pests.
To use the material, the storage
bin must be sealed, as for any
fumigant. The tablets or pellets
are put into the gram mass with a
probe. As soon as they come into
contact with the air, the tablets or
pellets release a warning gas,
ammonia. About 1 to 2 hours later
the pellets begin to release
phosphine. It takes the tablets a
little longer, about 2to 4 hours. .
Heilman said, "This much tune
between application and release of
gas gives the user a margin of
safety. By the time the gas is being
released the farmer should see to it
that the area is clear.” Liquid
fumigants, currently used, are
much heavier than air and their
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toxic effect is immediate.
Therefore, careful handling of
these materials is very critical.
tielinfcn said, "Safe handling of
any insecticide requires, a great
deal of care, and hydrogen
phosphide is no different m that
respect. But, because this material
does not release the toxic gas
immediately, when it is used with
reasonable care, the risk of ex
posure is reduced.’’
In recommending the material,
Heilman pointed out that good pest
control in stored gram starts with
sanitation. Storage bins should be
cleaned and completely cleared of
any grain from the year before.
The fumigant is available in this
area and the manufacturer will
conduct on-farm certification for
farmers who store grain and do
their own fumigating. Heilman
suggested that interested farmers
contact the Extension agent m
their county. If there is sufficient
interest, a certification program
could be conducted on a farm in the
area, Heilman said.
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301-775-2909
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716-335-2697