Minimizing Volunteer Corn in 2010 Soybeans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2009

As more glyphosate-resistant corn hybrids are planted, so has the prevalence of volunteer corn in soybean fields. Not only can volunteer corn reduce yield and crop quality of soybean, but research has raised the question of the potential impact volunteer corn may play in the resistance management of western corn rootworm.

Vince Davis, University of Illinois Extension soybean specialist, suggests these fall strategies to help minimize volunteer corn in soybean fields next season.

• Make note of the pressure of volunteer corn in soybean fields and determine how dire changes in harvest practices need to be this fall in regard to timing and settings.

• Make note of corn fields that you may expect will have more volunteer corn next year because of "downed" corn or dropped ears. Next, adjust your crop and/or herbicide plans as necessary to possibly avoid an additional herbicide in your postemergence program in those fields.

• Assess the density of volunteer corn early in the growing season next year. Volunteer corn does not look as "thick" early in the season before it starts to tower over the soybean canopy.

For further information and details see Davis's article in the University of Illinois Pest Management & Crop Development Bulletin, located at this web site: http://ipm.illinois.edu/bulletin/article.php?id=1212

Source: Jim Morrison, Extension Educator, Crop Systems, morrison@illinois.edu