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Cool weather promotes seed/seedling pest issues

May 2, 2022 11:46 AM
Blog Post

Today during our Crops Team meeting, many field agronomists shared that cool soil temperatures and rain have delayed planting in Iowa, but there are some very determined farmers getting acres planted around the state. These cool and wet conditions during spring are favorable for a few seed and seedlings pests. The main concern during cool, wet conditions is that plant and insect development is slow, potentially leading to prolonged feeding on seeds or small plants that may result in substantial losses.

Seedcorn Maggots Flying in Iowa

May 14, 2019
Degree-day map for seedcorn maggot in 2019.

Seedcorn maggot is a seed and seedling pest of corn and soybean. Plant injury is especially prevalent during cool and wet springs. The larvae, or maggots, feed on germinating corn and soybean seeds or seedlings (Photo 1). They can feed on the embryo, delay development or kill the plant. Infestations tend to be field-wide instead of having a patchy distribution like for many other pests. To confirm seedcorn maggot injury, check field areas with stand loss and look for maggots, pupae and damaged seeds (e.g., hollowed out seeds or poorly developing seedlings).

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Seedcorn Maggot Active in Southern Iowa

April 23, 2018
degree day map of seedcorn maggot emergence

Seedcorn maggot is a seed and seedling pest of corn and soybean. Plant injury is especially prevalent during cool and wet springs. The larvae, or maggots, feed on germinating corn and soybean seeds or seedlings (Photo 1). They can feed on the embryo, delay development or kill the plant. Infestations tend to be field-wide instead of grouped together like many other pests. To confirm seedcorn maggot injury, check field areas with stand loss and look for maggots, pupae and damaged seeds (e.g., hollowed out seeds or poorly developing seedlings).

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Look for Seedcorn Maggot in Corn and Soybean

April 13, 2016
Seedcorn maggot and larva

Seedcorn maggot is a seed and seedling pest of corn and soybean. Plant injury is especially prevalent during cool and wet springs. The larvae, or maggots, feed on germinating corn and soybean seeds or seedlings (Photo 1). They can feed on the embryo, delay development or kill the plant. Infestations tend to be field-wide instead of grouped together like for many other pests. To confirm seedcorn maggot injury, check field areas with stand loss and look for maggots, pupae and damaged seeds (e.g., hollowed out seeds or poorly developing seedlings).

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Good Seed Supply Available from Most Companies in Iowa

June 12, 2008

By Palle Pedersen and Roger Elmore, Department of Agronomy

Excessive rainfall in Iowa over the last 2 months has challenged most farmers, agronomists, extension workers, and researchers. With another front of storms moving into Iowa today (June 11) we do not know when we will be able to get back into the fields. Our best estimate is that it will first be next week at the earliest.

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Field Testing of N-Hibit™ Seed Treatment in Iowa*

May 2, 2008
Map of the locations of experiments in 2007 where n-Hibit seed treatment was evaluated

By Greg Tylka and Chris Marett, Department of Plant Pathology


N-Hibit™ is a seed-treatment that contains harpin protein, a compound that can stimulate plant defense responses. N-Hibit™ is now being sold in the United States for management of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN).  Iowa State University evaluated the effects of N-Hibit™ seed treatment on soybean yield and SCN population densities in experiments at nine locations throughout Iowa in 2007.


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