A seed and trait specialist says corn rootworm scouting is becoming more and more important for Corn Belt farmers.
Edwin Benkert with Bayer Crop Science says corn farmers should consider root digs throughout the growing season.
“The only way we can really evaluate how much feeding is happening, and therefore how much injury and how much yield loss we’re experiencing, is by going out to the field and finding those hot spots where we see downed corn or lodged or gooseneck plants.”
According to Bayer, farmers should dig away from the base of the plant with a shovel, keeping the roots intact.
Performing a root dig to monitor for corn rootworm
