ISU Plant Pathology

Crazy smart scientists studying how to make plants healthier from our labs and plots to your fields. #IAPlantDrs

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and soil health field day as part of their “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series” in rural Sumner on Wednesday, June 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost!

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

Future agriculture teachers at Iowa State are gaining a unique advantage through CASE AgXplore certification training: https://t.co/vpzs7Bec4y
#AgEducation #IowaState #CASE #FutureTeachers

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

Seeds are the foundation of food security. Iowa State University has partnered with the Ukrainian Agri Council to support the recovery and modernization of Ukraine’s seed sector through research, training, and international collaboration. Read more here: https://t.co/g4sGSmFE1a

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

In general, chemical nematicides move more readily in coarse-textured soils than fine-textured soils, assuming adequate water infiltration.

As a result, chemical nematicides often have a larger zone of root protection in coarse-textured soils than in fine-textured soils such as silts and clays.

Moreover, the zone of protection is more vertical like a “chimney” to protect the developing taproot rather than horizontal to protect lateral roots. 

Therefore, seed-applied nematicides typically work better in strongly tap-rooted crops such as cotton and soybean compared to fibrous root systems like corn.

Read more in "How Seed-Applied Nematicides Work" at https://t.co/Wix4v46A5E.

From @travisfaske @MartinChilvers1 @badgercropdoc @CFAES_OSU & @CUESNews. Funded by @CottonInc.

@UFcropnematodes @UFEntNem @UCDavisEntomolo @NematodeGuy #cotton #soybean #nematodes

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

Why do registered herbicides provide variable weed control? Watch at https://t.co/IWrmq7fN4U.

From @uofg's @psikkema1.

@GrainFarmers @CCAOntario @OntarioSoilCrop @AgricultureON #weeds #corn #soybean

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

NEW Cotton Foliar Fungicide Efficacy Chart at https://t.co/tcuxApMYGW.

From @travisfaske @SpurlockLab @StrayerScherer @IanMSmall1 @bobkemerait @rodrigobonofre @ppp_trey @baldpathologist +others.

@PCGNews @NC_Cotton @GACottonComm @CottonInc @kmbiss @CottonGrowers @AgriLife #cotton @SRPCGA

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

Alfalfa weevil larva and adults defoliate alfalfa by consuming leaf tissue. In general, larvae cause the most plant injury and risk is most severe prior to the first cutting.

Use a sweep net to determine the presence of alfalfa weevil. Accurate sampling of alfalfa weevil larvae can be made by hand collecting alfalfa stems, dislodging them into a bucket, and then determining the number of alfalfa weevils per stem.

Insecticides can be used to manage alfalfa weevils; check with local extension resources for the most up-to-date economic thresholds. Sample larva using stem counts, paying special attention to very small larvae at terminals. Consider time until harvest and stem size when making treatment decisions, as well as risk to natural enemies that reduce alfalfa weevil populations. Early harvest and hay removal, winter grazing, and planting more tolerant alfalfa cultivars are additional management strategies.

Ask local Extension for more information.

#alfalfa #forage @bick_emily @justinmcmechan @ErinHodgson_ISU @ashleyn_dean @nick_seiter

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

We have a shared responsibility in keeping plants healthy for a zero-hunger world. Here is why we need to keep our plants healthy .

Via Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

Why Herbicides Can Fail: Understanding Variable Weed Control. Watch at https://t.co/IWrmq7fN4U.

From @uofg's @psikkema1.

@GrainFarmers @mjanders1 @WiscWeeds @West_Kans_Weeds @PUweeds @NDSUWeeds @WarAgainstWeeds #weeds #herbicides #grow26

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

Download and print the corn foliar disease illustrated poster at https://t.co/kAYBJld4dp.

Poster size is 24x36.

@NationalCorn @NeCGA @MississippiCorn @kscorn @ilcorn @iowa_corn @MississippiCorn @mncorn @sdcorn @NDCornGrowers @alisonrISU @DTelenko @alabamaED @MartinChilvers1 @ppp_trey @MandyBish1 @maddishires @badgercropdoc @baldpathologist #corn

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

The PPEM Spring Seminar Series is right around the corner! May 5th, 2026 join Sharon Badilla Arias as she discusses biocontrol of cucurbit bacterial wilt. To learn more visit https://t.co/JN4fWEnVhc

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

Crop loss calculator updated with latest data at https://t.co/aMkmGBL6Ts

In 2025, farmers in the U.S. and Canada experienced estimated losses of:
✅ $5.3 billion from corn diseases
✅ $2.2 billion from corn insect pests
✅ $996 million from wheat diseases
✅ $211 million from cotton diseases
✅ $2.3 billions from soybean diseases

@travisfaske @DominicDReisig @justinmcmechan @bick_emily @badgerbean @AlbertTenuta @Jocelynlsmith @KelseyFAndersen @baldpathologist @alabamaED @MPlumblee @MandyBish1 @badgercropdoc @MartinChilvers1 @ppp_trey @DTelenko @BisonBeanDoc @DylanMangel @febina_m @dsmuelle @BorisCamiletti @YuanZeng3
@OhBuggers @NationalCorn @TheCottonBoard @kmbiss @USWBSI #corn #soybean #wheat #cotton

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

Best Practices for Drone Fungicide Applications: Expert Tips and Testing Results. Watch at https://t.co/HOhEVxtD8W.

From @ISUExtension's Luke Fuhrer.

@ISUANR @ISUCropNews @iowa_corn @IowaSoybeans #drones #UAS #UAV #farming #grow26 @alisonrISU

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

Fusarium head blight is one of the most significant diseases affecting small grain production, with epidemics occurring at higher frequencies and over a larger area than in the past.

Yield losses can exceed 50% if conditions favor disease; however, it poses a more significant threat to grain quality and animal and human health.

For management and ID info, check out Extension's https://t.co/bEsTps0HLO.

@NDSUExtension @NDAgExpStation @KYGrainCropsIPM @badgercropdoc
@AlbertTenuta @cropdoc08 @baldpathologist @MartinChilvers1 @travisfaske @DTelenko @MahDuffeck @MandyBish1 @maddishires @ppp_trey
@USWBSI @OSUwheatdisease @KSUWheatDisease @SaskWheat

#wheat #scab #FHB #agx

[Crop Protection Network @CropNetwork]

Disease reduced cotton yield by nearly 5% in 2025. Root-knot nematode, reniform nematode, and seedling diseases caused the greatest losses.

Find out more in the new article "Cotton Disease Loss Estimates from the United States — 2025" at https://t.co/FqBQs9kx9n.

From @travisfaske @StrayerScherer @IGrett @zgrabRuns @bobkemerait @OnofreLab @ppp_trey @LSUNematology @baldpathologist @DaisyHAhumada @MahDuffeck @OSU_CottonIPM +others.

@kmbiss @CottonInc @TheCottonBoard @MizzouIPM #cotton #disease #farming #Agx

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

Big congratulations to 4 Iowa State University alumni: Morgan Smith, Nolan Monaghan, Olivia Marti & Evelyn Heidt. Named inaugural World Food Prize Foundation Alumni Ambassadors! 🌍🌱 Their leadership is helping drive the future of global food security. #IowaState #WorldFoodPrize

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

We are excited to promote the 2026 Walter E. & Helen Parke Loomis Lecture and Plant Biology Mini-Symposium. This year’s theme is “Engineering Plants for the Future”.

The event is Monday, May 18, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Register here before May 11: https://t.co/McrflqF939

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

With mesh bags in hand, their heads mostly looking down, and a keen desire to find the motherload of morels, a secretive band of hunters is about to hit the woods in central Iowa. Learn more: https://t.co/hxNmO8iQPr

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

Seven new soybean insect articles are now in the Crop Protection Network encyclopedia!

Explore updates on whitefly, twospotted spider mite, corn earworm, green cloverworm, woollybear complex, tarnished plant bug, and yellowstriped armyworm.

Stay informed this season with CPN!

[ISU Plant Pathology @PlantPathISU]

Does pollinator habitat embedded within conventional farming systems provide overall benefits if pesticides remain in the surrounding landscape? https://t.co/V8300hVjyp