News

Extension specialist says watch for seedling diseases

 

A university field agronomist says this spring is almost perfect for developing seedling diseases.

Rebecca Vittetoe with Iowa State University Extension says the cool, wet spring allows the pathogens to infect the plants as they are germinating.  She says this week and next week, farmers should watch seedlings closely for signs of diseases.  “Are there plants out there that look a little stunted?  Are they a growth stage or two behind their neighbors?  Do they look a little yellow?  Maybe they have some dying leaves or they’re wilted.  Those are all good symptoms that are saying, hey, there’s something going on here and you might want to dig that plant up.”

Vittetoe tells Brownfield the leaves or stunted growth might be the first clue, but the roots will show more.  “You’ll want to look to see, you know, is that mesocotyl brown or is it white?  If it’s white, it’s healthy.  If it’s brown, you know that’s telling you that there’s some pathogen or something there that’s infected that’s infected that seedling and it’s not healthy.”

Vittetoe says Iowa State is conducting a study of seedling diseases, and they invite farmers to send them plant samples.  County extension agents in Iowa can offer farmers guidance.  Vittetoe can be reached at the Washington County, Iowa Extension office at (319) 653-4811.  She also has packaging information available online, here.