Pest control in crops grown in northwestern New Mexico, 2011

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Pest Control in Crops Grown in Northwestern
New Mexico, 2011
Annual Data Report 100-2011
Richard N. Arnold, Michael K. O’Neill, Daniel Smeal, and Kevin Lombard1
Cooperative Extension Service • College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
INTRODUCTION
Weeds cause more total crop losses than any other ag­ricultural pest (Arnold, 1981–2008; Hall et al., 1995; Currie, 2004; Lorenzi and Jeffery, 1987). Weeds re­duce crop yields and quality, harbor insects and plant diseases, and cause irrigation and harvesting problems (Chandler et al., 1984; Lorenzi and Jeffery, 1987; Cur­rie, 2005; Massinga et al., 1999, 2003). As a result, weeds reduce the total value of agricultural products in the United States by 10 to 15% (Lorenzi and Jeffery, 1987). Estimated average losses during 1975 to 1979 in the potential production of field corn, potatoes, and onion ranged from 7 to 16% in the Mountain States Region, which includes New Mexico (Chandler et al., 1984). San Juan County ranks first in potato produc­tion, fourth in alfalfa production, and second in corn production among all New Mexico counties (New Mexico Agricultural Statistics, 2007).
An estimated 90% of all tillage operations are for weed control (J.G. Foster, personal communications, 2005–2007). Herbicides can reduce the number of required tillage operations and can be used where cul­tivation is not possible, such as within crop rows or in solid-seeded crops. With increasing fuel and labor costs, herbicides are often more economical than other meth­ods of weed control.
Many herbicides are approved for use on crops grown on medium- and fine-textured, high-organic soils. Little information is available, however, regarding their effec­tiveness and safety on low-organic, coarse-textured soils that are common to northwestern New Mexico.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has become more stringent with regard to research data re­quired for pesticide approval. Thus, it has become criti­cal that state Agricultural Science Centers work closely with commercial companies developing new pesticides in order to obtain the research data required by the EPA. This cooperation will benefit the agricultural industry of the state and assist EPA pesticide registration.
Before 1980, the use of herbicides in northwestern New Mexico was limited. Most growers were still using 2,4-D in corn for broadleaf weed control, while annual grasses were left in check. In alfalfa, burning winter an­nual mustard and downy brome with propane was not uncommon. An herbicide field-screening program has provided essential information on the activity of new and old herbicides on crops grown in northwestern New Mexico (Arnold, 1981–2008).
1Respectively, College Professor, Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science, and Superintendent, Agricultural Science Center at Farmington; Professor, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences; College Professor, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences; and Assistant Professor,
Agricultural Science Center at Farmington, all of New Mexico State University.
Introduction ..........................................................................1
Monsanto, Broadleaf weed control in.....................................2
spring-seeded Roundup Ready alfalfa
BASF, Broadleaf weed control in field corn with.....................3
preemergence followed by sequential
postemergence herbicides
Bayer CropScience, Broadleaf weed control in .......................3
field corn with either preemergence or
postemergence herbicides
Bayer CropScience, Broadleaf weed control in........................4
field corn with preemergence followed by
sequential postemergence herbicides
DuPont Crop Protection, Broadleaf weed control in..............5
field corn with preemergence followed by
sequential postemergence herbicides
Bayer CropScience, Broadleaf weed control in........................6
grain sorghum with preemergence followed by
sequential postemergence herbicides
Dow AgroSciences, Jim Hill mustard control in.....................6
winter wheat
DuPont Crop Protection, Cool-season native and .................7
non-native grass response to MAT 28
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