At the beginning of the walk today, information sheets were passed out regarding field corn. Burlington county ranks 4th in New Jersey for grain corn production. Among the various fun facts listed was that there is an estimated 4,200 different uses for corn products. Some products you may not have known that contain corn are toothpaste, shampoo, diapers, envelope adhesives, perfume and aspirin. There was also a comparison between sweet corn and field corn.
Also listed on the information sheets were factors to consider when setting the seeding rate. Some of the things to consider were soil and climate, fertility, planting date and timeliness, genetic variability of the crop, size, vigor and mortality of the seed. After the crop has emerged, the stand density needs to be determined by multiplying plant counts by 1,000 to estimate the population in plants per acre. By making these random counts in five-acre sections at the seedling stage, early-to mid-summer stage, and again in the fall before harvest, a farmer should have a better idea of problem areas and an estimated count of future harvested crop.
Today, some of the field corn seedlings were just emerging. A couple seedlings were dug up looking for possible underground pests – grubs, slugs, and cutworm. Weed seedlings are also emerging. If they continue to grow a herbicide may need to be used in the future.
In the pollinator patch next to the field corn, a brief discussion was held on the various plants growing there. A couple characteristics that may be found on clover are the watermark and its hairs. Orchard grass is more clumping, while Kentucky Blue grass is more spreading. Cabbage loopers were also flying around the pollinator plot, where they lay their larvae.
Behind the field corn is the winter rye field. It may take another 3 to 4 weeks to turn to seed. The flag leaf, right below the grain, is important for the survival of the grain. The next leaf down is also important to the next grain above it. These two leaves should be monitored for possible disease or insect damage. Harvesting the rye takes extra potassium from the soil, which should eventually be replaced.
In front of the rye field was a small segment of plowed ground called the "Plow Layer". This is human made but a very common layer. Often denoted Ap – for "plowed" subset of "A" horizon. Basically homogeneous layer about 6-8 inches deep, formed when land was plowed. This layer long outlives agriculture use of the land. For example, many New England forests exhibit a clear plow layer today from plowing that took place over 100 years ago.
Left of the rye field, oats are beginning to grow. Beyond the oat field lies the alfalfa field. The alfalfa won't be cut until another 10 to 14 days. Usually there is 10% flowering on the plant before it is harvested. Some insect damage and diseases to look for would be damage by the alfalfa weevil (damage on tips), spittle bug, black spot disease. Also look for plant yellowing, or a silver color
Walking across the field today, four insect traps were set in place at different field locations. The Black Cutworm trap was set in front of the pollinator patch. The European Corn Borer trap was set behind the pollinator patch. The Fall Armyworm trap was set a good distance behind the master gardener plots. The Corn Earworm trap was set right behind the master gardener plots.
Notes compiled by John Siemanowski.
