Across the corn belt depending on time of year | Applying Biocontrol nematodes is a single application resulting in multi-year rootworm suppression. The cost is $70/acre and it is a one-time cost. There are two ways to look at the ROI from the application. Depending on your rootworm pressure, typical yield recovery is between 10-20 bu/ac. We have observed 5 bu/ac under light pressure and 30 bu/ac under very heavy pressure.
Biocontrol nematodes need to be used with traited corn, even if the traited corn is failing. Failing traited corn is still killing a lot of rootworms When used together, traited corn kills off the susceptible rootworms and the nematodes target the resistant rootworm. If growers think using nematodes alone on conventional corn is a good idea, rootworm will develop resistance to biocontrol nematodes like every other single mortality strategy.
Application in areas without center pivot irrigation can be achieved with a pesticide sprayer (remove all screens/filters, replace nozzles with fertilizer stream nozzles like TeeJet 0015, and use 50 gpa) Thousands of acres have been inoculated using this method. Other methods include tool bars equipped with disk openers and a spray nozzle between the disks (water can be reduced to 20-25 gpa) or nitrogen sidedress rigs. One grower in 2025 applied them through the planter (he won't repeat it next year even though it was successful. Too many balls in the air!)
Center pivot country: application through the pivot
Application window: For the farmer who questions this technology and needs to see its activity in year 1, application needs to be late April to mid May before rootworm hatch which begins in June 1. For the farmers who believe the technology works, the window for application is anytime from April through October. Applications after June 15 are really establishing the biocontrol nematodes for the following growing season. |
rootworm damage on CRW corn paid for by seed companies
