Effects of Tillage and Prior Crop on the Incidence of Five Key Pests on Ohio Corn

Abstract

Pest management records representing a decade of field scouting observations of field corn in two Ohio counties were analyzed to determine the relative incidence of black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), stalk borer, Papaipema nebris (Guenee), armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth), slugs, and European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) in relation to tillage practices and prior crop. The incidence of black cutworm, stalk borer, armyworm, and slug infestations exceeding a potential action threshold increased as tillage was reduced, especially in no-tillage corn. The incidence of first-brood European corn borer infestations was less in no-tillage compared with that of either conventional or reduced tillage corn. Prior crop history did not significantly influence the relative incidence of black cutworm, stalk borer, or slugs on corn, including that planted no-till. Armyworm infestations exceeding the potential action threshold were primarily limited to corn sites planted no-tillage into a grassy prior crop. The incidence of European corn borer was greater in continuous corn than in corn following other crops.