Research Update (August 3, 2026)

 

Research Update (August 3, 2026)

 

Diligence Technologies Inc., West Tennessee

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SWSS Weed Contest, Knoxville, TN (August 5-6, 2026) 

UT Cotton Tour, Jackson, TN (September, TBD)

 

CROPPING SEASONS:

Foliar fungicide applications in corn and soybeans are largely done with a few exceptions for later-planted trials or those with later application timings.  Disease pressure is off to a good start, but the weather going forward will likely have a greater influence on disease development than the rains we have received so far.

Our weed trials are in many different stages ranging from completed to just initiated.  All our crops for insect trials are established and we are monitoring some of these to determine the proper application timing.

 

UPCOMING TRIAL REMINDERS:

WINTER WHEAT

Wheat planting in west Tennessee normally runs from about October 15 to November 10.  We need to start working on any trials that focus on the fall (i.e. any trials that have treatments at planting or before winter dormancy).  We can wait a bit later on trials that have treatments targeted at next spring.  We typically have extra wheat to work with and spring trials can be established at that time.

Please let us know soon about any wheat fertility trials you might be considering so that we can match the location and maintenance program to your needs.

 

WEATHER INFO:

We finally managed to get all our current field trials underway.  June and the first half of July presented a challenge with frequent showers that often made planting and spraying difficult.  However, I continue to hold to the belief that too much rain is better than too little.  With too much rain, progress is slow.  With too little rain, progress is stopped.  And if most every August is any indication, we will be asking for rain again soon.

 

PEST INFO:

We have had no shortage of weeds this season.  In fact, one of our biggest challenges has been cleaning up fields in order to get other types of trials established.  The frequent rains made the weeds grow fast and made it difficult for us to get in the fields and clean them up.

Our major diseases (gray leaf spot in corn, frogeye leaf spot in soybean) have progressed well to date.  However, it is generally August before these diseases really come and on and we start to see which treatments are working.

We may be spraying cotton plant bugs before long.  At present, we are just waiting for “research grade” populations to build.  Insecticide applications to corn and soybean will be made later in the season.  It is generally beneficial to plant those trials late which tends to result in higher pest populations.

 

If you need a late trial this summer, let us know.  We can usually find a spot to run another trial or two.

Tim, Jackson, Jake, Will, Jim, & JT

 

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be put to forced labor.