No-Till Field Corn, Emergency Treatments for the Common Stalk Borer, 1981

A randomized complete block design (5 treatments x 6 replications) was used to test the efficacy of 4 emergency treatments for the common stalk borer (CSB). Plot size was 6 rows (30 inch spacing) by 40 ft. The study site was a northeastern Ohio corn field containing several locally heavy infestations. CSB damage was quantified using percentages of “flagged” plants (those with wilted, dead or drying whorl leaves) as an index. Damage levels and subsequent yields were recorded for all plants in the central 2 rows of each plot. Test plots, located in a high damage area, averaged 36% damage (flagging) to seedling corn (2-leaf growth stage) by CSB larvae before emergency treatment, applied on Jun 4.