A special local needs label has been recently approved for use of Palisade EC plant growth regulator for red clover and crimson clover seed crops in Oregon. This is timely because the window for application of the product on these crops is near.
For more information, here is a copy of the SLN label:
As always, follow the label when applying this or any other product. Mention of this product does not constitute an endorsement by Oregon State University.
Under certain conditions, the tiller cannot support the weight of the developing inflorescence and seed. The tiller lodges or falls to the ground, especially when there are high levels of nitrogen fertilizer and soil moisture present (Fig. 1). Both conditions are common in Oregon’s commercial grass seed production fields in the spring. But will that be the case in spring 2013?
The winter months of January through March 2013 have been the 2nd driest winter period on record at Corvallis with only 6.28 inches recorded. Can we expect more of the same dry weather during spring? No one can say for sure, but an examination of weather records for the past 124 years reveals that when precipitation is very low (50% or less of the 16.02 inch normal) in January through March, the following April through June period averages 5.78 inches or near normal rainfall (normal is 5.83 inches).
Despite the very dry weather that has been recorded to date, there may still be enough rainfall present in coming months to make lodging a problem for local seed growers.
Figure 1. Lodging in ryegrass. (T.G Chastain photo)
There are two lodging control agents (plant growth regulators) available for grass seed producers in Oregon. Palisade (trinexapac-ethyl) and Apogee (prohexadione-calcium) plant growth regulators (PGRs) are acylcyclohexanedione inhibitors of the 3-β hydroxylation of GA. The known effects of the acylcyclohexanedione PGRs currently in use on grass seed crops are as follows:
Why is lodging important in grass seed crops? Under certain conditions, the tiller cannot support the weight of the developing inflorescence and seed. The tiller lodges or falls to the ground, especially when there are high levels of nitrogen fertilizer and soil moisture present (Fig. 1). Both conditions are common in Oregon’s commercial grass seed production fields in the spring.
Figure 1. Lodging in ryegrass. (T.G Chastain photo)
OSU is presenting several seed production field day offerings this spring where the public can visit research farms and learn more about a variety of seed crops.
May 16 – Native Plant Seed Production Field Day – Native forage legumes, native plant irrigation for seed production, pollination and pollinators, native plant for anti-cancer pharmaceuticals, and more. Located at OSU’s Malheur Experiment Station, 595 Onion Ave, Ontario OR 97914. Phone (541) 889-2174
May 30 – Hyslop Farm Field Day – Plant growth regulators in red clover seed crops, energy use and efficiency in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass seed crops, flax, and more. Located at Hyslop Crop Science Field Research Laboratory just off Highway 20 between Corvallis and Albany at 3455 NE Granger Corvallis, OR 97330. Phone (541) 737-9940.
May 31 – Grass Seed Field Day – Various topics focused on grass seed production practices and pests. Located at OSU’s Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 2121 S. First Street, Hermiston, OR 97838. Phone (541) 567-6337.
Energy budget for perennial ryegrass seed production (Chastain and Garbacik, 2011). Percentages denote the proportion of energy consumed by management practices.
The efficiency of energy use by US farmers has increased dramatically as the energy use per unit of farm output has declined about 44% since the late 1940s. Despite these gains, there is increasing scrutiny regarding the amount and the cost of energy used in agricultural production. Since the prospect for higher energy prices and further limitations on the availability of inexpensive energy is both real and immediate, identification of improved energy efficiencies is essential in order for grass seed production to remain a competitive enterprise for Oregon seed producers. Reducing energy costs is one way that the profitability of grass seed production might be improved.
