FIELD DAY SCHEDULED ON SEPT. 5; PORTAGEVILLE HOSTS ANNUAL CROP TOURS

PORTAGEVILLE -- Southeast Missouri farmers and those in nearby states will gather in Portageville Sept. 5 for the annual Delta Center Field Day.

The field day provides a good opportunity for farmers to update their farming skills in variety selection, management techniques and weed, disease and pest control.

Delta Center Superintendent Jake Fisher of Portageville said, "We're expecting 1,200 to 1,500 at this year's Field Day which will make it the largest ever. There will be four regular field tours plus a special rice tour, over 70 exhibits plus University Extension exhibits, health fair, soymeal doughnuts (delicious!) for the second year, grainbin rescue and other activities."

Cotton Weed Control

Cotton producers will have their second opportunity to see an important breakthrough an experimental cotton herbicide by Dupont. It is the first "over-the-top" control of pitted ivy leaf, entire leaf morning glories, common cocklebur, pigweeds, and velvet leaf. Dr. Barry Sims, state weed specialist at the Delta Center, will share the plus and minuses of DPX PE350 as well as report the performance of Command relating to both cotton tolerance and weed control. Sims and other researchers will also report on reduced herbicide rate technology.

Corn and Cotton Nitrogen and Yield Potential

Delta Center Research Steve Hefner and Paul Tracy have been researching nitrogen (N) needs since it is often the most crucial nutrient component in non-legume crop fertilization programs. Tracy is working with a new research tool, a hand-held chlorophyll meter that holds great potential for improved crop management.

Tracy said the tool's important may be great because leaf tissue chlorophyll relates directly to leaf N content and may provide a method for rapid N estimations and subsequent determination of evaluating crop N needs. In short, he said, with much additional research, the meter shows promise as a crop diagnostic tool.

Soybeans

The star of the 1991 Soybean show will be Hartwig. This new variety was developed at the Delta Center and is the first with resistance to all races of SCN. Hartwig is being released for planting in maturity group V areas with serious SCN problems. Field Day participants will see Hartwig and hear Dr. Sam Anand tell of its development and potential.

Rice

A special rice stop will be hosted by University Extension Specialist Bruce Beck of Poplar Bluff. It will deal with general rice production and be an excellent opportunity for rice producers and those who plan to grow rice to receive a general update on rice production, said center officials.

Missouri Crop Performance

Delta Center Research Specialist Steve Lankheit will provide information on corn, soybean, grain sorghum, canola, rice and popcorn to Field Day participants. Information on 90 varieties from 19 seed companies will be available.

The Field Day is located seven miles southeast of Portageville (Junction T and TT) and will begin with coverage wagon tours each hour from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no charge for admission, and a barbecue lunch will be provided by agri-businesses. The Field Day is open to all.