Detrimental Impact of No-tillage Corn Cropping Systems Involving Insecticides, Hybrids, and Irrigation on Lesser Cornstalk Borer Infestations12

Abstract

Infestations of Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) were deterred in no-tillage corn cropping systems. This was demonstrated in various types of experiments in which no-tillage and conventional tillage systems were compared. In an insecticide test, damage to corn seedlings was less in nontreated no-tillage than in any of the insecticide treatments in conventional tillage. Irrigation studies indicated that increased soil moisture is an important factor prohibiting infestations and these conditions were enhanced in the no-tillage systems.