New editions of the most widely used publications from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are now available and offer the latest research-based recommendations for managing insects, weeds and diseases in row crop agriculture, as well as in fruit, vegetable and garden production.
The 2021 publications include:
• MP44 — Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control.
• MP144 — Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas.
• MP154 — Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide.
Printed copies of the guides are available at county Extension offices at no charge. Digital copies are available online at https://www.uaex.edu/publications/new.aspx.
“The MP publications are used by everyone in any agricultural commodity or where pesticides are used,” Victor L. Ford, associate vice president for Agriculture and Natural Resources with the Cooperative Extension Service, said. “These recommendations are based on solid research and are the reliable sources of information for Arkansans. In addition to traditional pesticide applications, there are often organic recommendations where one is available.”
“MP” stands for “miscellaneous publication.” More than 20,000 copies of the 2021 guides have been distributed to county Extension offices across the state.
The guides are updated annually. The earliest version of MP44, “Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush,” on file with the Cooperative Extension Service dates back to 1961.
“The 2021 MP44, “Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control,” is a one-stop shop for all you need to know about herbicides, applications, and the most up-to-date research-supported weed control recommendations for Arkansas,” said Dr. Tommy Butts, assistant professor and Extension weed scientist. “It covers all weed control areas including row crops, pasture, turfgrass, horticulture and aquatic weeds. This publication can help any farmer, gardener or landowner with their weed control needs.”
MP144, “Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas,” is Extension’s most-requested entomology-related publication, said Glenn Studebaker, Extension entomologist for the Division of Agriculture.
“MP144 contains information on recommended insecticides in row crops, animal agriculture, fruits, nuts, vegetables — both home garden and commercial — as well as household pests,” Studebaker said. “The publication gives recommended treatment thresholds as well as information on pesticide safety and important label requirements. The mobile-friendly edition is still available and now has recommendations for fruits, nuts, commercial vegetables as well as home gardens.”
The “Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide” — or MP 154 — contains information useful to both commercial producers and homeowners, Extension plant pathologist Travis Faske said.
“The guide includes a list of fungicides and nematicides registered for use in Arkansas that are used to control diseases of row (field) crops, vegetables, small fruits, turfgrass and ornamental plants,” Faske said. “For the past two years, we have grouped the row crops together at the beginning of the book for quick reference by farmers, consultants and county agents. For some of the major row crop diseases, the book includes information on fungicide efficacy, fungicide timing, and steps to mitigate the development of diseases that are resistant to fungicides.”
All of the information in the guide is generated by extension plant pathologists who conduct applied research trials across the state.
A PDF of the MP-144 can be downloaded at https://www.uaex.edu/publications/mp-144.aspx.
The MP-44 can be downloaded at https://www.uaex.edu/publications/mp-44.aspx.
MP154 can be found at https://www.uaex.edu/publications/mp-154.aspx.
The University of Arkansas contributed this article.