IPM Management Strategiesfor Field Corn

Joyce Meader

Cooperative Extension System

University of Connecticut

Uconn Cooperative Extension Field Corn IPM requirements: Records of past and present pesticides

Nutrients applied according to soil tests

Apply limestone for proper pH

Calibrate pesticide application equip.

Pest Management

No soil or post emergence insecticides are used without insect level reaching the action threshold; determined and recorded at scouting.

Record excessive weed species - before postemergence control - and at corn harvestChoose herbicides labeled against these weeds

Protection of Groundwater

Identify fields with soil drainage classified:

‘Excessively’ or ‘Somewhat Excessively’

Use herbicides classified as having:

low potential for water contamination

on these fields.

What is an IPM practitioner?

A grower who scouts for pests

A grower who records problem pests

A grower who determines the need for pest control, the safest method, and

the proper timing of a control tactic

Management Tactics:

Preventative Make field less attractive to pests Crop is stronger, able to resist pest attack

Remedial Used when economic threshold exceeded Cultural, chemical, or biological

Which tactic will you practice?

Will depend on damage by pests

Resources on farm (scouting labor, soil type)

Farming system (cultivation, crop rotation)

Weed Management- Preventative Avoid feeding weedy forage: mature seeds

can survive ensiling and digestion Kill new weed species with spot spraying Apply environmentally ‘safer’ pre-emergent

herbicides within 7days of last cultivation Follow soil fertility recommendations Plant in narrow rows in early season Rotate to hay to allow for early mowing

Weed Management - Remedial Plow to suppress perennials No-till to suppress large seeded annuals Cultivate after corn planting Choose post-emergence herbicides based on

weed species and least threat to water Spray when weeds most susceptible Kill weeds before loss of crop yield Rotate herbicide modes of action

Insect Management - Preventative- Rotate crops to break life cycles

- Select hybrids resistant to damage

- Eliminate grass or weeds that harbor insects, in fall (slugs) or at least

10 days before planting (cutworms)- Use cover crops to reduce attractive weeds- Adjust planting date to avoid insect- Use an insecticide seed treatment

Insect Management - Residual

Scout and spot treat according to economic threshold, using environmentally friendly insecticides

Consider natural enemies when choosing insecticide

Harvest as silage, chopping close to the ground, if European Corn Borer detected