University of Arizona a dot Cooperative Extension


Alfalfa Report
Yuma County, Arizona
May 7, 2001


Yuma County Office
2200 W. 28th Street, Ste. 102
Yuma, AZ 85364
(520) 726-3904
(520) 726-8472 FAX

Production Update:

Rhizoctonia: Rhizoctonia solani is usually of minor importance in Arizona, but the fungus can cause severe stand loss in some situations. Rhizoctonia is very versatile and can cause decay of the roots, stem, and leaves as well as the crowns. Symptoms usually occur during the warmer part of the growing season. Circular, concave, black lesions can appear on taproots but are not always seen in Arizona. Crown decay appears as dark, rotted areas within the crown tissue. The fungus can also girdle the stem near the soil line. The disease can cause circular lesions on the leaves. Control measures include resistant varieties, proper land leveling, and avoiding over-irrigation. No effective chemical control measures exist for rhizoctonia.

Insect Management: Alfalfa caterpillar, Colias eurytheme, also known as alfalfa butterfly, is a warm weather pest of alfalfa. There can be as many as seven generations between May and October, in the low desert. Start checking fields for alfalfa caterpillars when yellow alfalfa butterflies first appear in May. When alfalfa butterflies are seen flying over tall alfalfa, they most likely emerged from that field. Eggs are laid singly, standing on end, on the upper surface of leaves in fields with re-growth under 6 inches. Larvae hatch in 3 to 10 days, grow to about an inch long and pupate in approximately two weeks. Alfalfa caterpillars are green with white stripes down their sides and are distinguished from beet armyworm by their velvety appearance. Monitor fields weekly from June through October, checking 2 to 3 times per week during periods of heavy infestations. Take 5 sweep counts in 4 to 5 field locations. Check worms for parasitism by pulling heads off an alfalfa caterpillar larva, squeeze out the body contents, and looking for an Apanteles wasp larva. Treat when field counts average 10 non-parasitized caterpillars per sweep.

Weed Control: Some herbicides, such as Sencor, can be impregnated onto fertilizer to increase crop safety and soil deposition. This can be effective with soil applied herbicides that are taken up through the roots or shoots of target weeds.


Market Summary
High
Low
Average
Off grade
Past 2 Weeks ( Apr. 23 to May 6, 2001)
110
100
105
90-100
Last Year ( Apr. 23 to May 6, 2000)
100
90
93
70-90

 

10 Year Summary (April 23, to May 6, 1992-2001):

Graph of 10 year price summary (April 23 to May 6, 1992-2001).



Full Disclaimers

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.

The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.

Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this web document do not imply endorsement by The University of Arizona.


Information provided by:
Barry Tickes, btickes@ag.arizona.edu Extension Agent, Yuma County
Michael Ottman, mottman@ag.arizona.edu Agronomy Specialist
College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona.
Eric Natwick, etnatwick@ucdavis.edu UCCE Imperial County - Farm Advisor
University of California, Davis, CA.

Material written May 7, 2001.


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document located at: http://cals.arizona.edu/crops/counties/yuma/alfalfareports/2001/afalfarpt050701.html
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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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