Agronomy Day 2009 featured many different topics this year. Among the agenda items, discussed during the August tour at the University of Illinois South Farm, was an interesting review of herbicide options and/or traits that will come online over the next few seasons.

The list was impressive. In the arena of herbicides, the discussion primarily centered around two chemical families. The recent rise of new "bleacher" or HPPD herbicides, such as Laudis (Bayer Crop Sciences), Impact (Amvac), and Callisto (Syngenta), was highlighted. Developments on the PPO herbicide front, particularly the development of a new slightly different PPO herbicide termed "Kixor" (BASF), occupied the discussion as well.

The trait portion of the discussion was equally impressive. Dr. Aaron Hager mentioned Optimum GAT, the DuPont trait that allows certain varieties and hybrids to be sprayed with either glyphosate (Roundup – trademark) or ALS chemistries. Dicamba resistant beans - which Monsanto hopes to release within the next few years - were noted during that discussion as were Dow Agro Science's coming DHT hybrids and varieties. The latter are tolerant to 2,4-D (a relative to dicamba), as well as FOP herbicides (a chemical family within the ACCase Inhibitor/"grass only" herbicide family). However, the final "trait point of discussion" caught my eye. That portion of the talk featured a discussion of Liberty Link beans (Bayer) – a trait that this agronomist first worked with over a decade ago at the Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center. The herbicide product in question, Ignite, contains the active ingredient glufosinate which sounds very similar to the active ingredient of Roundup (trademark) – glyphosate. The similarities end there though, and the remainder of this article will review the important differences between these two products.

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and products similar to Roundup, is a member of the EPSP synthase inhibitor family of herbicides. The title of that family sounds daunting, but the mode of action (method of "weed kill") is rather straightforward. Glyphosate inhibits an important enzyme in the plant termed EPSP synthase. Minus that enzyme, the plant is unable to produce amino acids and the cumulative product of amino acids – proteins. Proteins are the basic unit of many structures within the plant and a lack of proteins means eventual death. While the enzyme itself is eliminated rather quickly, the symptoms of reduced protein production only appear several days later. Death of the plant may take a couple weeks and while glyphosate is considered broad spectrum – its strengths seem to slightly tilt toward grass control. Glyphosate is mobile within the plant and, of course, moves down into the root thus killing the plant bottom up.

Glufosinate, the active ingredient in Ignite, is a member of the Glutamine synthase inhibitor family of herbicides. Glufosinate also inhibits an important enzyme in the plant, but in this case, the enzyme is used to assimilate nitrogen (ammonia specifically) into amino acids that then can be combined to form proteins. By inhibiting the enzyme, ammonia builds up in the plant. To contemplate what this means – think of the way that we use ammonia as a cleaner. The affinity that ammonia has for moisture results in tissue being destroyed and a rapid leaf burn occurs. This is opposite to glyphosate which, once again, only displays symptoms after several days. Because tissue damage occurs rather quickly (and for other reasons that we need not go into right now), glufosinate does not move to the root of the plant. In other words, it is not translocated well/is not very mobile. The material is fairly non-selective (meaning that it does damage/kill a wide range of plant species), but it is slightly more effective on broadleaf weeds (the opposite of the tendency noted in glyphosate).

There are some real differences between these two broad spectrum weed management products and most producers are aware that those differences mean that glyphosate will kill Liberty-Link beans and glufosinate will kill glyphosate resistant beans.

Source: Matt Montgomery, County Extension Director, Mason County

Large numbers of "gnats" recently in the air in northern and central Illinois were probably soybean aphids. High infestations were present this year as far south as Interstate 70. Close examination will reveal a one-sixteenth inch long insect with a translucent green abdomen, black head and thorax, black antennae, and large oval transparent wings.

When aphids land on something, they probe it with their sucking mouthparts to see if it is good to eat. People with sensitive skin may feel a slight prick, but it is unlikely to leave a mark. Others are unlikely to feel anything at all.

These insects are migrating from soybean to buckthorn to lay eggs for the winter. Although this migration occurs over a six-week period, heavy migration typically lasts for one to two weeks. Control efforts against these winged migrants are not practical, nor recommended.

Soybean aphids pass through 15-18 generations during the summer on soybean, where they feed on the sap of the soybean plant. They live on the leaflet undersides as similar-sized, yellow to cream insects. At the end of summer, they migrate to buckthorn. Buckthorn, Rhamnus spp., is a glossy-leaved, thorny shrub common along the edge of forests and in disturbed areas such as fencerows and along streams. On buckthorn, these migrants give birth to another generation of females that mate with arriving, winged males. They then lay overwintering eggs on buckthorn. These eggs will hatch in the spring, the aphids will complete a couple of generations on buckthorn, and then fly to soybean for the summer.

Source: Phil Nixon, Extension Entomologist

With the theme "Looking Back, Moving Forward," the 12th Biennial Governor's conference on the Management of the Illinois River System, co-sponsored by Illinois EPA, will tackle a full agenda of river-related issues on Oct. 20-22 at Peoria's Hotel Pere Marquette.

Registration materials are available online now at http://www.conferences.uiuc.edu/ilriver or by calling the University of Illinois Office of Conferences and Institutes toll free at 877-455-2687.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will host an evening public forum as part of the Illinois River Coordinating Council meeting on Oct. 20. Earlier that day, a conservation-focused tour of the Illinois River watershed south of Peoria includes visits to Emiquon wetland complex, the largest wetland restoration in the country, a tour of Dickson Mounds Museum where exhibits detail the 12,000-year history of human habitation of this area, a stop at the region's newest wind farm that provides green energy, and a visit to a U.S. Geological Survey streamgage site where streamflow data is collected and transmitted. This all-day tour, which is open to the public on a first-come basis, costs $40 and includes lunch.

Bob Kustra, who as Illinois lieutenant governor chaired the first Illinois River Coordinating Council in 1997, will provide the historic perspective, looking back on 12 years of implementing the integrated management plan for the river. Also on Oct. 21, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is scheduled as the luncheon speaker, highlighting his current role, as well as his active participation as a congressman in Illinois river issues.

A morning panel of legal experts will focus on water law and court interpretation. Marc Miller, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will moderate several afternoon panels on ecosystem services.

Concurrent sessions will offer perspectives on advancements in agricultural technology, the economic and societal benefits of healthy ecosystems, and success across Illinois in local community actions such as stormwater management and shoreline protection. Habitat restoration, community development and sediment monitoring are among topics on Oct. 22.

The conference offers opportunities for attendees to network with a variety of resource professionals, scientists and river enthusiasts. Exhibits, as well as an interactive showcase of digital technologies, will introduce attendees to resources available online or through various agencies. A 44-member planning committee and at least 30 sponsoring local, state and federal agencies, organizations and businesses are involved with the success of the conference.

The full conference registration fee, which includes five meals, as well as an opening reception, is $215. The Wednesday-only fee is $115, while the Thursday-only fee is $75. On-site registration increases by another $5 per day.

Source: Illinois Ag Connection