Fresh Market Sweet Corn IPM on Farm Demonstrations

Abstract

IPM practices in fresh market sweet corn were demonstrated at three different farms and on 15 fields. For each field, data on pest levels, pesticide use, insect infestation and damage at harvest were collected. Each field was scouted weekly for European corn borer-E (ECB-E), European corn borer-Z (ECB-Z), corn earworm (CEW), fall armyworm (FAW) and western bean cutworm (WBC) as well as other pests and diseases. Growers received weekly scouting reports and treatment recommendations. For all three farms the percent corn damaged at time of harvest from IPM managed fields was equal to or lower than grower managed fields. Total number of insecticide sprays was also lower on IPM managed fields. By following an IPM program growers can reduce the number of sprays while often improving the damage at time of harvest.