Listed below are just a few helpful hints that may provide
some additional assistance when troubleshooting pest control problems.
IPM Newsletter
Insects rob Tennessee corn producers of about five percent of their
potential yields on an annual basis. However, severe pest infestations
can cause complete crop loss. While pesticides play an important role in
crop protection, they should be used only when there is the potential
for damage severe enough to cause economic loss. There are several
cultural practices that can be used to reduce insect problems and
minimize pesticide use.
Scouting: Scouting fields for insect
infestations and monitoring pest populations with pheromone traps can
provide an estimate of insect pressure in a field, and thus, help to
guide any treatment decisions.
Early Planting: Planting field corn early, during the recommended planting window, will reduce the chances
of crop damage from several insect species. For example, corn borers and fall armyworm are frequent pests of lateplanted
corn in Tennessee.
Weed Control: Certain insects carry (or transmit) virus diseases in corn. By controlling weeds such
as Johnsongrass early in the season, the chances of leafhoppers and aphids transmitting viruses to corn
are reduced. When planting corn in fields known to be heavily infested with Johnsongrass, choose a hybrid
with good tolerance to the Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus (MDMV) complex.
Tillage: No-tillage production systems can add to
insect pest problems in many cases. Cutworms, wireworms, white grubs,
seedcorn maggots and lesser cornstalk borers may build up in grass sod
or where previous crop residue has been left on the soil surface at
planting. Burndown with herbicides well in advance of planting (3-4
weeks) can reduce the risks of infestation. Look for white grubs,
wireworms and any other insects that may be exposed during land
preparation.
Seed and At-Planting Insecticide Treatments: Seed corn now routinely comes treated with insecticide. These
insecticides will control or suppress a number of seed and seedling insect pests (see below). Insecticide seed
treatments, specifically Poncho and Cruiser, have largely replaced the use of in-furrow or banded insecticides
that were often applied at planting. However, many atplanting insecticides can still be used for the control of
seed and seedling pests. Consider using at-planting insecticides when:
- You have a known soil-insect problem.
- You are planting in a field that was previously sod or
small grains.
For more informtion concerning corn varieties, see the listing of suppliers below:
Garst Seed Company
Golden Harvest Seeds / Syngenta
LG Seeds
Pioneer
Me
rschman Seeds
Northrop King / Syngenta Seeds
Other IPM Programs within Tennessee
Cotton IPM
Soybeans
Grain Sorghum
School IPM
Urban IPM / Fire Ants
For more information concerning Integrated Pest Management Programs, contact:
Dr. Scott Stewart
West Tennessee Research and Education Center
605 Airways Blvd.
Jackson, TN 38301
Phone = (731) 425-4709
email = sdstewart@utk.edu