UCONN IPM: Integrated Pest Management: Field Corn IPM in the Northeast

Pocket Guide to Field Corn IPM in the Northeast

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that uses knowledge from many disciplines to enhance profitability, optimize environmental stewardship, and protect human health. Minimizing reliance on chemical pesticides is one important goal of IPM. A new IPM Field Corn Pocket Guide brings together in a compact format information needed for successful Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) for field corn growers in the Northeast. A collaborative work by experts from across the region, the IPM Field Corn Pocket Guide; IPM-1 (280 pages), is available from University of Connecticut Natural Resources Management and Engineering Department, 1376 Storrs Rd., Storrs, CT 06265-4087.

Some key principles of IPM include management strategies such as crop rotation, site selection, and hybrid selection; identification of pests, environmental stress, nutritional deficiency, or other factors as causes of field problems; sampling or scouting to assess the damage potential of pests; weighing of costs, benefits, and risks of cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls; and implementation of pest control at optimal times in the life cycles of pests and crops. After an introductory overview, the IPM Field Corn Pocket Guide concisely presents information for scouting and managing insect pests, beneficial insects, corn plant diseases and vertebrate pests, grass weeds, and broadleaf weeds. Also covered are plant and soil health and fertility and postharvest storage. Appendixes include useful formulas, conversions, and comparisons. Offering guidance on identifying and managing insect, weed, and vertebrate pests as well as nutritional deficiencies, the 280-page publication includes over 80 line drawings, 18 color plates, and more than 40 tables-all in a handy 3 1/4-inch by 6-inch format. Five fold-out reference charts provide insect pest action thresholds, management alternatives, and sampling strategies; pictorial keys to grasses and broadleaf weeds; and "Be Your Own Corn Doctor" full-color diagnostic illustrations.

The IPM Field Corn Pocket Guide was developed with the help of funding from the Northeast Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE), expertise of Cooperative Extension faculty and staff, and contributions from several other institutions. It was produced by staff of the New York State IPM Program including Karen Edelstein, Carrie Koplinka-Loehr, James VanKirk, and J. Keith Waldron. The interdisciplinary team of contributing authors for the guide included Carl Bannon, formerly of Cornell Cooperative Extension; Gary Bergstrom, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University; Jean Conklin, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension; Karen Edelstein, New York State IPM Program; Nancy Gift, Department of Soil, Crop, and Atmospheric Science, Cornell University; Frank Himmelstein, University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension; Gordon Johnson, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension; Phil Sutton, formerly of Cornell Cooperative Extension; and J. Keith Waldron, Cornell Cooperative Extension. James VanKirk, Northeast Region IPM, served as principal investigator.

This information was developed for conditions in the Northeast. Use in other geographical areas may be inappropriate.

The information in this material is for educational purposes. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of printing. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. The Cooperative Extension system does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available.All agrochemicals/pesticides listed are registered for suggested uses in accordance with federal and Connecticut state laws and regulations as of the date of printing. If the information does not agree with current labeling, follow the label instructions. The label is the law.Warning! Agrochemicals/pesticides are dangerous. Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on labels. Carefully handle and store agrochemicals/pesticides in originally labeled containers immediately in a safe manner and place. Contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for current regulations.The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kirklyn M. Kerr, Director, Cooperative Extension System, The University of Connecticut, Storrs. The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System offers its programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and is an equal opportunity employer.