Corn Nematode Control: Proven Strategies to Protect Yields and Improve Root Health

A variety of pests and diseases thrive in soil and are responsible for growing damage to corn as the widespread, damaging nature of soil-borne insects and diseases. Soil-borne pests often lie undetected until they cause majornematode damage in corn to corn production. Corn nematodes are microscopic roundworms that inflict some of the worst damages attacking roots and hindering normal plant growth. They can occur below ground and so normally won't be noticed till symptoms manifest above ground.

Corn root knot nematodes, corn cyst nematode and corn lesion nematode populations are responsible for economic losses in corn production. The pests harm root systems, affect nutrient and water absorption, harm plant vigor and cause a favorable environment for secondary root diseases. Nematode infestations of corn can reduce yields, cause uneven stand establishment and growth, and cause severe crop damage in severe infestations.

Corn growers in the major corn-producing areas such as the U.S. Midwest, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Europe are increasingly aware of the value of proactive corn root knot nematode contro and the importance of long-term corn nematode management in corn programs. It is important to have an understanding of the pest, recognize the early signs of infestation and implement a sustainable method of pest management to prevent loss to profitability.

Understanding the Most Important Corn Nematodes

There are several types of plant-parasitic nematodes injuring corn roots, and they cause different injury symptoms.

Corn Root Knot Nematodes

The nematodes invade the roots and make the cells abnormal causing galls or knots to be formed. Galls obstruct flow of water and hence water entry and nutrient assimilation resulting in reduced crop performance under rain-fed and field/cultivation management.

Corn Cyst Nematode

The corn cyst nematode is either cyst or egg-bearing in protective cysts in the soil. These cysts have the ability to persist for a long time and are hard to treat. After colonization, juveniles cause a decrease in plant vigor and invade roots.

Corn Lesion Nematode

Corn lesion nematode is one of the most distributed nematode that cause disease in corn. These nematodes move through the roots, leave behind wounds which affect the function of the root, and lead to susceptibility of the root to fungals. Corn loss due to Corn lesion nematode infestation can be extensive due to its destructive feeding habits.

Importance of early intervention, understanding the corn nematode life cycle

A knowledge of the corn nematodeLifecycle is important to achieving good corn nematode control. The majority of species have a similar life cycle, with the presence of eggs, juveniles and adults. Juvenile nematodes migrate through soil moisture to find appropriate soil.

Roots start decaying and growth rate decreases, after starting to feed. May produce several generations per season, depending upon environmental conditions. It is a continuous reproduction cycle, so that populations can grow in number quickly when conditions are good.

The nematode life cycle is mainly below ground which may result in the nematode invasion becoming quite a problem without showing any above ground symptoms. It is still one of the best ways to have corn nematode control done successfully, to monitor it early on.

Treatment for Common Corn Nematode

Preventing economic losses in the long term by early detection. Some of the most common corn nematode symptoms include- Stunted plant growth, Uneven field emergence, Yellowing leaves,  Reduced root mass, Poor nutrient uptake, and Increased drought stress.

Corn symptoms of nematodes include root pruning, lesions, root galling or poor root development below ground. The signs and symptoms often are confused with nutrient deficiencies and/or environmental stress, so soil and root samples are critical diagnostic.

Damage caused by nematodes lowers the yield of corn

Root damage is the most significant damage to animals caused by nematodes. The damage to the roots reduces the ability to absorb nutrients and water and decreases crop vigor and photosynthetic rate.

The following results from this damage have been consistently reported in research and in the field; unmanaged corn nematode damage signs can result in Reduced plant height, Poor ear development, and Lower kernel fill.

Damage will vary depending on type and concentration of nematodes, soil type, environmental factors and general crop condition.

Traditional Corn Nematode Management Practices

Most often, several approaches are necessary to successfully manage corn nematodes rather than a single approach.

Common practices include:

Crop rotation for the control of nematodes

Crop rotation for nematode control control is one of the common recommended strategies. Crop rotation with non-host crop species may be useful in suppression of nematodes over a period of time.

Soil Health Improvement

Soil organic matter and nematode biological activity can be improved to favour a decline in nematode population growth.

Resistant Varieties

Hybrids can be resistant or tolerant to certain nematode species that reduce the impact of those species when they are present.

Nematode Monitoring

Soil sampling and root testing are used routinely to help growers get ahead of the problem and discover any population prior to significant economic loss.

Biological Solutions - A Sustainable Solution to Corn Nematodes Control

The biological root knot nematode treatment program is gaining in popularity due to the need for sustainable treatment methods that replace the continual use of chemicals for nematode control in agriculture.

One of the very promising biological products is the nematode control technology purpureocillium lilacinum biocontrol. This fungus occurs naturally and has been thoroughly investigated as a natural parasite of nematode eggs and nematode numbers in agriculture soils.

It is a biocontrol agent of Purpureocillium lilacinum that attacks at susceptible stages in the nematode's life cycle and as a part of an IPM program promotes long-term sustainability.

How Novobac Nema Pro can contribute to the sustainable control of corn nematodes

Novobac specializes in biological crop protection, biological control of crop diseases, technologies to improve soil health and sustainable strategies for growers in the Americas, Europe, Asia and other significant crop regions in the world.

Its Biological organic Nematicide powered by purpureocillium lilacinum nematode for the control of corn nematodes in sustainable programs in corn growing regions such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other intense corn production regions.

The product goes to work on the beneficial bacteria, Purpureocillium lilacinum, in the root zone to aid in suppressing nematodes and enhancing root health. Biological solutions are not used in a short-term suppression context but rather they work towards the longer-term goals of soil health and I.P.M. objectives.

Key benefits include:

•  It's also easy to treat root knot nematodes.
•  Advice on taking care of corn cyst nematode.
•  A reduction in corn lesion nematode pressure has been achieved.
•  Improved root-zone health. 
• Appropriate with pest management programs.
•  To provide support for sustainable farming systems.

Integrated Corn Nematode Management Program

Most successful growers have several strategies and work out a management plan that incorporates them all.

Some of the following could be included in an integrated approach in Nematode monitoring and soil testing, Rotating crops to control nematode, Incorporating practices to boost soil health, Biological products are biological agents like Nema Pro, Proper irrigation management, Balanced fertility programs, and Regular root inspections.

As a combination, these practices can help with the eventual nematode control of corn and reduce the need for continuous chemical applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which corn nematode most often occurs?

-The most widespread nematodes are corn root knot nematodes, corn cyst nematodes and corn lesion nematodes.

How can nematodes be controlled in corn fields?

-Crop rotation, biologicals, soil health and integrated pest management practices are often all combined for successful management. Biological control (BC) agents, like Purpureocillium lilacinum, are used by many growers as part of a long-term program.

Which is the first symptom of corn nematodes?

-Early sign of corn nematodes are plants that look stunted, won't emerge uniform, yellowing plants, and poor root development.

Conclusion

Monitoring efforts and integrated nematode management strategies are gaining increasing importance as nematode pressure is again an issue for corn production globally. By understanding the corn nematode life cycle, early identification of corn nematode symptoms and implementation of biological solutions including Novobac Nema Pro, growers can help to ensure yields and implement more sustainable practices for the long-term.

References:

1. Parajuli, Gita, Robert Kemerait, and Patricia Timper. “Improving suppression of Meloidogyne spp. by Purpureocillium lilacinum strain 251.” Nematology 16.6 (2014): 711-717.
2. WANG, Zhen, et al. “Synergistic efficacy of Purpureocillium lilacinum and organic material against tomato root-knot nematode.” Chinese Journal of Biological Control 31.1 (2015): 130.