Crop Pest Update

Insects: 

Flea beetles have been noted on volunteer canola and cruciferous weeds, but with the late seeding there has been no economic damage reported from them to date. Wireworms have been observed by some checking seeding depth in the Central region, but so far not at economic levels.

Diseases: 

All regions of Manitoba have been affected by excess moisture in the month of May. The immediate implications for planted crops are both the environmental stress of saturated soils, and the likelihood of root rot pathogens taking hold because of that stress. Most root rot organisms can live in the soil in the absence of living crops (saprophytically), just lying in wait for a susceptible host and an environment conducive to infection.

Weeds: 

Weeds are really starting to grow across the province due to the abundance of rain, with little competition coming from late-seeded or as-yet unseeded crops. Early weed control in all crops is crucial. It’s been difficult to apply pre herbicides, either burnoff or with residual, due to the wet conditions and the rush to seed. Winter annual, biennial and perennial weeds are growing well due to the abundance of moisture last fall and this spring. Annual weeds are emerging rapidly and many are approaching or at the stage they should be sprayed. If spraying post-seed but pre-emergent, make sure to get on the field soon as crops will emerge quickly with warm temps and lots of soil moisture.