Participants to learn mid-season crop-diagnostic techniques

By Jennifer Stewart
Ag Communications
Thursday, June 15, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center will host a mid-season diagnostic workshop July 13 at 8 a.m.

The workshop will focus on diagnosing crop issues during the middle part of the growing season.

"Our target audience to educate is literally anyone working in the area of agriculture," said Corey Gerber, director of the Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center. "This includes crop producers, seed and chemical representatives and Extension educators."

Throughout the day, experts from Purdue will cover topics such as herbicide injury, corn and soybean insect pests and stress factors affecting yield. Speakers will provide participants with hands-on experience in the crop plots so they can better recognize problems.

"Our primary goal is to educate individuals on how to better diagnose problems during the mid part of the growing season," Gerber said. "Our specialists provide hands-on training, and often times we've had people say, 'I've seen that. So that's what it is,' which makes the workshop not only rewarding for the participants but for the specialists as well."

Speakers for this season's workshop include:

• Christian Krupke and John Obermeyer, entomologists, who will team up to educate participants about insect management for mid-season insect pests, including utilization of scouting and monitoring techniques, and economic thresholds to aid in treatment decisions.
• Greg Shaner, plant pathologist, who will speak about disease management using foliar fungicides.
• Bill Johnson, weed scientist, who will discuss herbicide symptoms and injury.
• Bob Nielsen, corn specialist, who will educate participants on the yield impact of early- and mid-season stresses on corn.
• Jim Camberato, soil fertility specialist, who will speak about soil fertility issues in corn and soybeans.
• Gary Steinhardt, soil management specialist, who will discuss the impact of tillage practices on corn and soybean root growth.

To register for the workshop, go to the center's Web site http://www.agry.purdue.edu/dtc/agenda/July13.htm . Registration forms and the $100-per-participant registration fee should be returned to the Purdue Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center, Purdue University Agronomy Department, 915 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907.

For more information, contact Gerber at (765) 496-3755.
Writer: Jennifer Stewart, (765) 494-8402, jsstewart@alumni.purdue.edu
Source: Corey Gerber, (765) 496-3755, cgerber@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu