Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.3, 182-190 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 182 Research Insight Open Access Impact of Soil Insecticides on Western Corn Rootworm and Maize Yield Jinhua Chen, Wei Wang Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: wei.wang@jicat.org Field Crop, 2024, Vol.7, No.3 doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0018 Received: 21 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 09 Jun., 2024 Published: 27 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Chen and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Chen J.H., and Wang W., 2024, Impact of soil insecticides on western corn rootworm and maize yield, Field Crop, 7(3): 182-190 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0018) Abstract The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is a significant pest affecting maize (Zea mays L.) production, causing substantial economic losses due to root damage and yield reduction. This research examines the impact of various soil insecticides on WCR management and maize yield. Studies have demonstrated that insecticide applications, including pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and organophosphates, significantly reduce WCR larval density and root damage, leading to increased grain yield. However, the emergence of pyrethroid-resistant WCR populations has compromised the efficacy of some soil-applied insecticides, necessitating integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to mitigate resistance development. Additionally, biological control methods, such as the use of entomopathogenic nematodes and beneficial soil organisms, have shown promise in reducing WCR populations and enhancing maize yield. Crop rotation has also been identified as an effective agronomic practice to manage WCR populations without relying on insecticides, aligning with sustainable agricultural practices. This research underscores the importance of combining chemical, biological, and cultural control methods within an IPM framework to sustainably manage WCR and optimize maize production. Keywords Western corn rootworm (WCR); Maize yield; Soil insecticides; Integrated pest management (IPM); Biological control methods 1 Introduction The Western Corn Rootworm (WCR) is a significant pest of maize, causing extensive damage to maize roots, which leads to plant instability, reduced growth, and substantial yield losses (Meinke et al., 2021; Ferracini et al., 2021; Furlan et al., 2022). Originating in North America, WCR has spread to Europe, becoming a serious threat to maize cultivation since the mid-1990s (Jaffuel et al., 2019; Furlan et al., 2022). The pest's larval stage is particularly destructive as it feeds on the root system, making it difficult to control with conventional pesticides (Jaffuel et al., 2019; Modic et al., 2020). Soil insecticides have been a critical component in managing WCR populations and mitigating the damage they cause to maize crops. Historically, various classes of insecticides, including cyclodienes, organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids, have been employed to control WCR (Meinke et al., 2021; Ferracini et al., 2021). However, the extensive use of these chemicals has led to the evolution of resistance in WCR populations, reducing the efficacy of these treatments (Souza et al., 2019; Meinke et al., 2021). Despite this, soil insecticides remain an essential tool, often used in combination with other management strategies such as crop rotation and the use of transgenic maize varieties expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins (Gassmann et al., 2019; Furlan et al., 2022). Recent studies have also explored the use of beneficial soil organisms and alternative chemical treatments to enhance the effectiveness of WCR control (Jaffuel et al., 2019; Modic et al., 2020; Gyeraj et al., 2021). This research aims to evaluate the impact of soil insecticides on WCR management and maize yield. It examines the historical and current use of soil insecticides, the development of resistance in WCR populations, and the effectiveness of various insecticide strategies; additionally, explores integrated pest management approaches that combine soil insecticides with other control methods to sustainably manage WCR and improve maize yield. By synthesizing findings from multiple studies, this research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of soil insecticides in contemporary maize cultivation and offer insights into future directions for WCR management.
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