Checking Corn Fields for Damaging Levels of Nematodes

June 5, 2020
ICM News

Iowa State University professor and nematologist Dr. Don Norton found nearly two dozen species of nematodes feeding on corn in Iowa in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. These microscopic worms usually are present in low numbers and do not affect yields. But the potential for plant-parasitic nematodes that feed on corn to cause yield reductions is real and warrants attention.

The wide diversity of species have varied feeding habits, lengths of life cycles, soil preferences, and other attributes, but one aspect that is consistent for all of the nematodes is that yield loss on corn always is preceded by development of above-ground symptoms such as stunting or chlorotic foliage. This means that sampling to determine if damaging nematode population densities are present need only be done in areas of fields where corn plants are showing symptoms.

Below are recommendations on how to collect samples for assessing the potential damage and yield loss caused by nematodes that feed on corn.

What type of sample should be collected?

Up to corn growth stage V6: collect soil and root samples

  • Use a soil probe, angle underneath a corn plant and collect soil cores that are at least 12 inches long (see Figure 1).
  • Collect 20 or more soil cores to represent an area.
  • Collect soil cores from within the root zone of plants with symptoms of damage. Combine (but do not mix) soil cores and place in a sealed plastic bag labeled with permanent marker.
  • Also collect, with a shovel, the root mass from 4 to 6 plants with symptoms of damage (see Figure 2). Take care not to strip off the smaller, seminal roots. The tops of the plants can be cut off and discarded. Place the roots in a sealed plastic bag labeled with permanent marker.
  • Protect samples from physical jarring and keep samples cool (at or below room temperature).


Figure 1. Collecting a soil core from corn to determine the presence and number of plant-parasitic nematodes.


Figure 2. Young corn plant collected to determine the presence and number of plant-parasitic nematodes in the root tissue.

Corn growth stage V6 through R3 (milk): collect only soil samples

  • Use a soil probe, angle underneath a corn plant and collect soil cores that are at least 12 inches long (see Figure 1).
  • Collect 20 or more soil cores to represent an area.
  • Collect soil cores from within the root zone of plants showing symptoms of damage. Combine (but do not mix) soil cores and place in a sealed plastic bag labeled with permanent marker.
  • Protect samples from physical jarring and keep samples cool (at or below room temperature).

Corn growth stage R4 (dough) and later: sampling not recommended

There is not a reliable relationship between damage or yield loss and the number of nematodes present in soil and roots once the corn crop reaches the R4 growth stage.

Where to send samples?

Samples for nematode analysis can be sent to some private soil-test laboratories in Iowa and surrounding states. Check with the lab to determine if they process nematode samples for corn before sending the samples. Many university plant disease clinics and nematode diagnostic labs also process samples for nematodes on corn. A list of the university laboratories and their contact information is available online.

Iowa State University’s Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic processes samples for nematodes that feed on corn. The test is called the complete nematode count. Samples sent to the ISU Clinic should be accompanied by a Nematode Sample Submission Form (ISU Extension Publication "PIDC 32"). There is a $35 per sample processing fee ($40 per sample for out-of-state samples).

Managing nematode damage on corn

If damaging population densities of nematodes are found in a corn field, there is nothing that can be done during the season to slow the build-up of nematode numbers and lessen the yield loss. Management options for future corn crops include using soil-applied Counter® 20G nematicide and/or seed treatments such as Aveo™, Avicta®, Lumialza™, Nemasect™, Trunemco™, and Votivo®.

Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on June 5, 2020. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.

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Greg Tylka Morrill Professor

Dr. Greg Tylka is a Morrill Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Iowa State University with extension and research responsibilities for management of plant-parasitic nematodes. The focus of Dr. Tylka's research program at Iowa State University is primarily the soybea...