Year-Round IPM Program Pages
This year-round IPM program covers the major pests of field corn in the Central Valley. This program does not cover sweet corn.
About Preplant
- Special issues of concern related to environmental quality: pesticide runoff and leaching.
- Mitigate pesticide effects on air and water quality.
What should you be doing during this time?
Select the field:
- Consider soil type, cropping and pest history, and plant back restrictions from previous crop.
- Take soil samples for nutrient, salinity, and pH analysis to determine field suitability and soil nutrient management.
Survey weeds when the previous crop is still in the field.
- Keep records , noting the presence, location, and extent of problematic weeds.
Manage weeds according to the Corn Pest Management Guidelines.
- Use winter flooding, where appropriate, in the Delta.
- Pre-irrigate and cultivate to germinate and destroy weed seedlings.
Consider crop rotation to prevent build up of soilborne pathogens, such as Fusarium and Pythium stalk rot, and problem weeds.
Clean equipment and tractors between fields to prevent the spread of soilborne diseases and weed seeds.
Prepare the field:
- Manage residue from the previous crop and consider reduced tillage options.
- Determine if planting flat or using beds.
- If using beds, prepare seed beds with good drainage.
- Apply fertilizer based on soil test results.
In the San Joaquin Valley, choose planting dates considering a harvest by October 31 to help lower infestation rate of corn leafhopper and corn stunt.
Select an appropriate hybrid (PDF) based on yield and pest history.
- Consider herbicide resistance and insect resistance. Purchase only the genetic traits needed by understanding the stacked trait options.