BROAD SPECTRUM PEST INSECT INSURANCE IN FIELD CORN

Research over the past four years at the Ridgetown College / Department of Plant Agriculture in collaboration with producers and industry has confirmed a unique situation that corn producers have not had since corn came into production in Ontario many years ago. By combining the newly registered clothianidin with certain Bt events (MON 810), protection against all the major corn insect pests found in Ontario is possible. Wireworm, European chafer, corn rootworm (suppression), corn flea beetle in seedlings, black cutworm (suppression) and seed corn maggot are covered by clothianidin, while BT MON 810 controls European corn borer and common armyworm. While other combinations of Bt events/seed treatments were tested, this one affords the broadest spectrum. The Bt CRY 1-F is much less effective against common armyworm than MON 810, but equally effective against European corn borer and more effective against black cutworm. It does control fall armyworm, but this is not a significant pest in Ontario and must not be confused in the marketplace with common armyworm, which is sporadically serious. The new Bt Yield Gard for rootworm currently is the most effective option against corn rootworm, but lacks control of European corn border, black cutworm and common armyworm.
(Dr. Art Schaafsma, Ridgetown College, University of Guelph)

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