Category Archives: Sweet Corn

Pest Management, Sweet Corn

2017 Growing Degree Days for European Corn Borer – June 19, 2017

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The first generation of European corn borer adults are at peak flight in the Bivoltine area. In the overlap areas, the emergence of the univoltine strains is beginning as well as the peak flight of the first generation bivoltine strains.  Pest pressure in both areas is expected to increase over the next week.  In the univoltine areas, first catch of adult ECB moths can be expected within the next week.

Note: we are experimenting with this new format for communicating growing degree days for European corn borer. As we refine the techniques the quality of the charts below will improve. Thank you for your patience.

bacterial wilt, Cucumber, Insects, Pumpkins, Squash, Sweet Corn

Watch for Increased Insect Activity in Sweet Corn and Pumpkins

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By: Elaine Roddy, Vegetable Crops Specialist
OMAFRA – Ridgetown

In general, insect pressure has been relatively low this year.  However, over the past week we have noticed an increase in insect activity.

Sweet Corn
Start scouting for European corn borer at the mid-whorl stage, before the tassel begins to emerge from the plant.  Look for flattened, white egg masses on the under surface of the leaves. Newly hatched larvae often hide in the developing tassel during the heat of the day.  Window panes, pin-hole feeding and small amounts of saw dust-like frass are all signs of feeding. Optimal control occurs during the early stages of insect development, before the larvae enter the stalk. Young larvae range in colour from almost translucent to yellow to brownish, with a black head.

The website, insectforecast.com reports scattered flights of corn earworm into the great lakes region. Corn is susceptible to earworm infestation during the silking period. The best way to monitor for the presence of corn earworm is with a pheremone trap. Continue reading Watch for Increased Insect Activity in Sweet Corn and Pumpkins →

Insects, Sweet Corn

Corn Earworm Update – August 29, 2014

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Based on information from the website insectforecast.com, it appears the risk of corn earworm flights into Southwestern Ontario has increased significantly over the past week. The University of Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News also reports increased trap counts this week.

Female earworm moths lay their eggs on sweet corn at the green silk stage.  One female can lay up to 100 eggs per night over a 10 night period.  The eggs incubate for 2- 10 days, depending on the temperature. After the egg hatches there is a narrow window of opportunity to control this pest before it enters the protection of the husk.

During periods of potential corn earworm activity, apply a corn earworm insecticide at 50-60% silk, with a second insecticide application 4 days later. Note: corn earworm populations may have a high degree of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. The level of resistance varies greatly from year-to-year.

Pheromone trapping is an excellent tool to help monitor localized populations in specific sweet corn fields. For more information on trapping, visit Ontario CropIPM.

Two different types of pheromone traps used for corn earworm. The heliothis trap (rear) and the hartstack trap (front).
Two different types of pheromone traps used for corn earworm. The heliothis trap (rear) and the hartstack trap (front).
Cucurbits, Herbicides, Peppers, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Weed Management

Use of Sandea Herbicide in Tomatoes, Vine Crops, and Peppers and Permit in Sweet Corn

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Darren Robinson, Weed Researcher, Ridgetown Campus – University of Guelph

Sandea and Permit are Group 2 herbicides that are taken up by roots and shoots and are systemic in the plant.  The herbicides will translocate to the new growing tissues, and if applied to a sensitive crop or weed, it will cause stunting, chlorosis (yellowing) and may even delay maturity of sensitive species.  These herbicides are particularly useful for control of preemergence control of common lamb’s-quarters and postemergence control of yellow nutsedge.  They have also provided good control of common ragweed and redroot pigweed.  The labels should be consulted before use in all cases, and are available at http://www.uap.ca/products/products.htm.

Continue reading Use of Sandea Herbicide in Tomatoes, Vine Crops, and Peppers and Permit in Sweet Corn →

Lima Beans, Peas, Pest Management, Snap Beans, Sweet Corn

Integrated Pest Management Workshop Now Available by Webinar

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Memo to all Growers, Scouts and Agribusiness:

The Sweet Corn, Bean and Pea Integrated Pest Management Workshop will now also be available by webinar.  If distance or time was preventing you from registering for the workshop, you can now get all the same great information, without the travel!

The workshop and webinar are planned for:

Tuesday, May 20th, 2014
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

In-person:
Room 102, Rudy Brown Rural Development Centre
Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown Ontario

Webinar:
The comfort of your own home or office!

Please pre-register for the workshop or the webinar by contacting the Agricultural Information Contact Centre (toll free) at 1-877-424-1300.  Late registrations (after Friday, May 16th) should be directed to elaine.roddy@ontario.ca

Topics covered will include:

  • Scouting and Diagnostics
  • Insects – Identification, Biology and Management
  • Diseases – Identification, Biology and Management
  • Soils and Nutrients
  • Reference Guides and Scouting Materials
Lima Beans, Peas, Pest Management, Snap Beans, Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn, Bean and Pea Integrated Pest Management Workshop

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Tuesday, May 20th, 2014
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Room 102, Rudy Brown Rural Development Centre
Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown Ontario

The workshop will also be broadcast as a webinar, for those unable to travel to Ridgetown.

Please pre-register for the workshop or the webinar by contacting the Agricultural Information Contact Centre (toll free) at 1-877-424-1300.  Late registrations (after Friday, May 16th) should be directed to elaine.roddy@ontario.ca

Topics covered will include:

  • Scouting and Diagnostics
  • Insects – Identification, Biology and Management
  • Diseases – Identification, Biology and Management
  • Soils and Nutrients
  • Reference Guides and Scouting Materials
Sweet Corn, Weather

Frost injury in corn

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This is a post from Field Crop News, on field corn, but it might be of interest to sweet corn growers as well: http://fieldcropnews.com/2013/05/frost-injury-in-corn-at-the-spike-stage/.  It discusses where the growing point of corn is at various leaf stages of early growth and how to evaluate damaged seedlings after a freeze.  It includes a video, too.

The growing point of corn is still below the ground until the five to six leaf stage.