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Poll finds corn nematode is significant problem for many growers
A survey of nearly 450 growers nationwide reveals almost half of respondents have medium to high corn nematode pressure.
Pioneer eastern Corn Belt agronomy manager Mary Gumz says they conducted a poll on social media last month asking about nematode levels in corn.
“It turned out that 75 percent had looked at their nematode pressure, and 43 percent had medium to high corn nematode pressure in their fields and that’s the level where we can start to see some yield effects.”
She tells Brownfield the microscopic round worms feed on corn roots.
“So you can imagine (how) the damage to corn’s root structure prevents it from taking up the normal amounts of water and nutrients, so it can really hold back plant growth and that leads to decreased yields.”
Gumz recommends submitting soil samples to an accredited nematode lab to evaluate pressure
She says farmers can manage the pest by using seed treatments, stepping up weed control, and in severe cases rotating away from corn for one or two seasons.
