Corn nematode threat growing in Midwest Aug 11, 2009 Changing
production practices are escalating corn nematode populations.
These microscopic, thread-like round worms are an increasing
threat to top-quality corn production. Some plant parasitic
nematodes are sensitive to soil disturbance, so the increase in
no-till acres has created a more hospitable environment. Corn-
on-corn production gives nematodes the resources to thrive year
after year. And, switching to insect-resistant corn and
pyrethroid insecticides has moved growers away from using
organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, which provided some
suppression of nematodes. Corn nematodes have been found in
every major corn-growing county in the U.S. These maps show the
risk levels for nematode pressure in the Midwest and South.
Root-knot Nematode Distribution in the U.S. (South)