Corn Pest Management Studies

Corn Farm Research Pest/Disease Management Studies

Farm Research studies in this section include: transgenics, insects/insecticides, weeds/herbicides, diseases/fungicides.

Transgenic Studies

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using a corn rootworm resistant hybrid versus the same hybrid without the corn rootworm gene at two populations.

Summary:  The use of a YieldGard hybrid resulted in significantly higher yield and lower grain moisture at harvest when compared to the non-transgenic isoline in 2003. The 2003 growing season was very dry. In 2004 the rootworm resistant hybrid yielded less than the non-resistant hybrid. Increasing the planting rate increased grain yield, especially with the resistant hybrid. Increasing the planting rate also resulted in reduced moisture at harvest.

Objective: Determine the profitability of using transgenic corn hybrids and insecticide treatments in corn production.
Summary: (Stewart) Results for 2008 were variable, thus minimal effects were detected. The corn borer/rootworm hybrid had slightly wetter grain at harvest and slightly lower test weight.
(Bartek) Seed with corn borer resistance produced a higher yield than the non-Bt hybrid, however, rootworm resistance produced a higher yield. The non-Bt corn was drier at harvest and had the lowest test weight in 2008.

(Bowman) The two hybrids performed similarly in 2003 in terms of grain yield and moisture at harvest. In 2004 the use of Poncho resulted in higher grain yields at 2 of the 4 sites tested. Grain moisture at harvest was higher due to Poncho at one of those sites. In 2005, grain yield was higher where Poncho was used compared to Aztec. In 2006, Poncho 1250 treatment with Pioneer 31A13 did not affect corn performance in one study. In another study, Pioneer 33B53 CRW gave a higher grain yield than Pioneer 33B51 with Poncho 1250; however, grain moisture was also slightly higher.

Objective:  Determine and document the effect of using genetically modified hybrids on the profitability of producing corn following soybeans.

Summary:  In 2003, the use of a Bt Hybrid resulted in lower yield and drier grain at harvest. Yield, grain moisture at harvest and test weight were not affected by YieldGard in 2004. In 2005, Roundup Ready Hybrid yielded significantly less than the non-Roundup Ready Isoline.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using Bt versus non-Bt corn hybrids.
Summary: In 1998 insect population was too low to warrant insecticide application. There was no significant difference in yield between the two hybrids. The grain of the Bt corn was wetter at harvest and had a lower test weight. Insect population was again too low in 1999 to warrant insecticide application. The grain of the Bt Corn was again wetter at harvest. In 2000, insect population was again too low to warrant insecticide application. The grain of the Bt corn was again wetter at harvest and had a slightly higher test weight. Grain yields for the two hybrids were the same all three years.

Objective:  Determine the effectiveness of Western bean cutworm control with transgenics.
Summary:  In 2005, grain yield was the same for both hybrids; however, the grain in the Herculex hybrid was significantly drier at harvest. Test weight and plant populations were the same for both hybrids.

Objective:  To determine & document the profitability of using seed with different refuge values on the probability of growing corn.
Summary:  Percent refuge had no effect on corn grain yield or grain moisture at harvest.

Back to Top

Insect and Insecticide Studies

Objective:  Determine the profitability of controlling seedling corn insects with various insecticide treatments including Aztec, Capture and Cruiser.
Summary:  Insecticide treatments increased yield in all three studies. 
(Mulliken) Grain yield was significantly higher where Baythroid was applied in 2003. 
(Walla) In 2001 the application of Aztec insecticide at planting increased grain yield slightly, but, significantly; however the full rate was needed. In 2002 the half rate of Aztec increased yields significantly.  In 2003 insecticide application did not affect grain yield, however, plant population was increased. The half rate of Capture was more effective than the half rate of Aztec. In 2004 yield increases from insecticide were slight. Yield from the no insecticide treatment was slightly lower than from the insecticide treatments, however, there was no statistical difference between insecticide treatments. Grain moisture at harvest was slightly higher from Capture half-rate and Cruiser full-rate.
(Brandert) The use of Gaucho treated seed in 2001 resulted in a slightly higher plant density, higher grain yield, slightly wetter grain at harvest, and slightly higher test weight than with non-treated seed. Time of tillage had no effect. In 2002 tillage increased grain yield and plant population significantly. Gaucho increased grain yield with and without tillage.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using transgenic corn hybrids and insecticide treatments in corn production.
Summary:  (Stewart) Results for 2008 were variable, thus minimal effects were detected. The corn borer/rootworm hybrid had slightly wetter grain at harvest and slightly lower test weight.
(Bartek) Seed with corn borer resistance produced a higher yield than the non-Bt hybrid, however, rootworm resistance produced a higher yield. The non-Bt corn was drier at harvest and had the lowest test weight in 2008.
(Bowman) The two hybrids performed similarly in 2003 in terms of grain yield and moisture at harvest. In 2004 the use of Poncho resulted in higher grain yields at 2 of the 4 sites tested. Grain moisture at harvest was higher due to Poncho at one of those sites. In 2005, grain yield was higher where Poncho was used compared to Aztec. In 2006, Poncho 1250 treatment with Pioneer 31A13 did not affect corn performance in one study. In another study, Pioneer 33B53 CRW gave a higher grain yield than Pioneer 33B51 with Poncho 1250; however, grain moisture was also slightly higher.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of Capture, Poncho and Regent insecticide treatments in corn production.
Summary:  In 2004 the use of Poncho 250 alone or in combination with Capture or Regent resulted in the highest yield, dries grain at harvest, and highest plant population. The use of Capture a the one-half rate alone resulted in higher grain yield and higher plant population then from Regent at the one-half rate. White grub pressure was a factor in this comparison. In 2005, the use of Poncho 250 in combination with ½ rate of Capture or ½ rate of Regent gave a higher yield than Poncho alone. The combination of Capture at ½ rate with Poncho gave a higher yield than Capture at ½ rate alone. Grain moisture at harvest and plant stands were not affected by treatments. In 2007 the application of a 1/2 rate of Capture in addition to Poncho seed treatment significantly increased corn grain yield.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of a full rate versus three-fourths rate versus a zero rate of corn rootworm insecticide.
Summary:  The full rate insecticide treatment yield was significantly higher than the reduced rate treatment in 1993. This comparison was expanded in 1994 to include a zero rate treatment. A significant difference was measured between the full and three fourths rate insecticide treatments in 1994. In 1995 the insecticide treatment did no significantly influence grain yield.

Objective:  Determine and document the profitability of Poncho 1250 versus CRW Herculex2 XTRA hybrid to control corn rootworms.
Summary:  Grain yield was slightly higher in 2006 for the CRW hybrid. In 2007, the YieldGard Plus Hybrid had the highest grain yield and the lowest grain moisture at harvest. CRW damage to roots was minimal to this second year corn field in 2007.

Objective:  To determine & document the influence of Force on the profitability of producing corn.
Summary:  Growth of corn was not influenced by applied Force CS at planting at the Harley and Johnny sites. Force CS applied at planting at the Johnson site resulted in a slight increase in yield and a small reduction in grain moisture at harvest.

Back to top

Weeds and Herbicide Studies

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using a broadcast herbicide strategy in a no-till environment versus using a band herbicide and cultivation strategy in corn production.
Summary:  The band herbicide treatment with cultivation had a significantly higher yield than the broadcast herbicide treatment at the 95% confidence level. Moisture was also significantly different at the 90% confidence level.

Objective:  Determine and document the profitability of spatial versus conventional herbicide application in corn.
Summary:  There was no significant difference between the two treatment in terms of grain yield and grain moisture at harvest.

Back to Top

Disease and Fungicide Studies

Objective: Determine and document the profitability of using a preventive fungicide in corn.
Summary: (Brandert) The application of Quilt fungicide resulted in a significant increase in grain yield and slightly higher moisture at harvest. Also, the incidence of gray leaf spot & leaf rust was reduced, however, stalk lodging was not affected.
(Weitzenkamp) The application of Stratego fungicide at V12 resulted in a slight increase in grain yield, higher grain moisture at harvest, and a significant reduction in gray leaf spot and leaf rust.
(Williams) 2010 At Johnny's site, the application of Headline had no effect on corn growth. At the Lichtenberg and Virka sites, grain yield was increased by Headline. Moisture at harvest was increased at the Virka site. In 2012, there was no significant difference in yield or moisture as a result of an in-furrow fungicide application (Williams)

Back to top