Corn rootworm is considered one of the most pertinent pests of corn throughout North America. This pest is known to cause significant damage to corn roots thereby decreasing the yield and profitability of corn farming apart from that it has developed some form of resistance to some of the conventional chemical insecticides that are used to control it. This comprehensive guide looks at both biologic and cultural techniques in combating the pests with an uppermost concern on the sustainable techniques like use of Bt bacillus thuringiensis in controlling the corn rootworm.
Understanding Corn Rootworm
Corn rootworm refers primarily to three species: There are three species of corn rootworms that are recognized and these are the western corn rootworm, northern corn rootworm and the southern corn rootworm. These pests lay eggs in the soil during late summer while the emerging larvae feed on the roots of corn the following spring, can cause serious root damage. It also negatively impacts the Plant’s growth and may result in lodging, hence making it hard to harvest the corn.
The subject matter to be discussed now is a never-ending challenge in managing corn rootworm, where appropriate tools are yet to be developed.
Most of the management techniques used in the past have been centered on the use of chemical insecticides and genetically modified crops. However, corn rootworm has adapted and developed resistance to these methods lowering their efficiency. Also, there are more questions regarding the ecological consequences of the intensive application of pesticides and their influence on non-target organisms and the state of soil.
Biological Control Methods
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
Organic pesticide BT bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring bacterium that is found in soil and creates proteins poisonous to certain insects, corn rootworm inclusive. These proteins are toxic in consumers and hinder the digestion mechanisms of the larvae, leading to their death. Bt is integrated in many commercial products besides bug sprays and genetically enhanced crops on the marker, permitting a natural pest control that is harmless to advantageous insects and the surroundings.
Products and Applications: Novabac has the variety of Bt based product who are developed for corn rootworm only. They can be put on the soil or used to coat seeds that guard corn against rootworm larvae. More information about the application of this Bt insecticide and some product details can be found at Novabac’s Bt insecticide.
Other Biological Agents
Nematodes: There are beneficial nematodes which can be applied on the soil thus attacking and killing the rootworm larvae. Some of the most effective ones include Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae that mainly target rootworms.
Fungal Pathogens: Other fungi such as Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana prove useful in the management of corn rootworm infestation since they affect the larvae that dwell in the soil.
Cultural Control Methods
Some of these cultural practices would help in cutting down the incidence or effectiveness of the corn rootworm where they interfere with the life-cycle of these insects.
Crop Rotation
The corn rootworm larvae feed on corn roots and therefore allowing the crop to rest for a season say to soybeans or wheat would disorient their life cycle on the field. This practice has been known to work historically against corn rootworms and particularly the northern version of the pest.
Sanitation and Field Hygiene
The absence of such structures, such as plant residue and tilling the soil, reduces the places for rootworm’s eggs to lay and increases the possibilities for them to be eaten by predators and experience unfavorable weather conditions.
Planting Time
Changing the time of planting can allow farmers avoid times when rootworms are hatching to a large extent. It might be possible to prolong the growth of corn plants until they escape the periods of high vulnerability to feeding by larvae.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
The integration of both biological and cultural practices in a context of an IPM improved the control methods of corn rootworms. IPM emphasizes the use of multiple approaches to achieve long-term pest control:IPM emphasizes the use of multiple approaches to achieve long-term pest control:
Monitoring: Daily scouting and using rootworm traps helps to establish the level of pest and the extent to which the tactics are effective.
Thresholds: Setting up guidelines on economic illness that requires intervention so as not to overwhelm the health systems and cost a lot of money.
Resistance Management: This practice involves changing the different control methods and the insecticide mode of action in order to discourage the formation of resistance.
Challenges and Considerations
Although biological and cultural methods are a more organic technique compared to chemical controls they are more reliant on knowledge and management. Constant information on the biology of corn rootworm, the pest and or the pests of that sort, and the trends in the sequence that has to do with resistance is vital to fill the qualitative knowledge gap to help farmers make informed management decisions.
Conclusion
Since biological pesticide such as bacillus thuringiensis is more meaningful than chemical control for corn rootworm, proper utilisation of the former together with Crop rotation and planting time schedules can provide a better solution to this problem. These strategies help in managing the rootworms’ infestation and at the same time contribute towards development of sustainable agriculture. For the latest information on how to control corn rootworm with the help of Bt and more tips on corn rootworm management head on to Novabac’s website. Pest control is achieved as described above and sustainability of the environment is also maintained hence enhancing the sustainable production of crops in the long run.
