Corn farmers out to defend crop

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Curtis Atkins with Triumph Seeds, spoke about rootworms, crop rotations and different corn varieties at the Rootworm Technology Field Day held at Reich Farms in Crawford. Photo by Mindy Poehl

June 23, 2005 - Corn rootworms are among the most serious insect pests of corn. Rootworm larvae feed on corn roots, eating small roots, scarring large roots and tunneling inside large roots and other supporting root structures. When weather stress occurs and root regrowth is poor, the damaged plants can tumble down.

On Thursday, June 16, the Texas Cooperative Extension hosted the Rootworm Technology Field Day at Reich Farms in Crawford in which the main topic was rootworm control in corn.

At the field day different corn varieties were looked at, including Poncho 250 and 1250 which are systemic insecticide seed treatments for corn. Poncho will protect both the seed and developing seedling from insect damage.

Triumph 1536 P LRR with Poncho 250 gets to be around 7 feet tall and is pretty well protected from the rootworm, said Curtis Atkins, with Triumph Seeds.

"1866 RR is the only one with Poncho 1250. It's getting good height and it is by far the most popular variety in this area," Atkins said. "And, it's going to continue to grow in popularity. It has a good sturdy stock and is a good silage producer."

Bruce Odom, with Gustafson, discussed the two rates of application for Poncho.

"Poncho 250 is applied at .25 mg active per kernel. With Poncho 1250 you get five times the amount you get with 250. Apply it at 1.25 mg active per kernel," Odom said. "The product will lose some effectiveness when the plant grows and the product gets diluted."

Poncho 250 includes Southern Corn Rootworm on the label and Odom said Poncho 250 will help suppress the Southern rootworm.

"If you have a good rotational system, you can probably get away with using Poncho 250. It is a two-year corn product, so I say Poncho 250 will hold up," Odom said. "Poncho 1250 will work for three years. The advantage of 1250 is that it will help work against those sucking insects."

But, for Poncho to work, the rootworm has to feed on it to be effective, reminded Odom.

"Hap" Hazzard, with Bayer Corp, said that Poncho also works against white grubs.

"Poncho and Aztec added together has made some of the best corn I've ever seen," Hazzard said. "It gets rid of rootworm as well as white grubs. Make sure you build a good root mass early when you use root products."

Atkins added, "Don't let the grass get higher than the corn at first. The grass is a host to lots of pests and it uses lots of nitrogen. The important thing is to get the corn off to a good start and you will get a better yield."