Corn Rootworm Control Tests with Benzene Hexachloride DDT, Nitrogen Fertilizers and Crop Rotations1

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Abstract
Field tests showed that injury by Diabrotica virgifera and D. longi-cornis was greatly reduced in corn following sweet clover or corn treated with N fertilizers. N did not appear to affect rootworm populations, but did hasten root recovery, reduce lodging and increase the yield. Soil applications of benzene hexachloride at rates of 0.5, 1 or 2 lb. of gamma isomer per acre sprayed on the surface before plowing, or 0.8, 1.6 or 2.4 lb. applied as side-dressings just prior to the first cultivation reduced rootworm populations and almost eliminated root injury and lodging. DDT applied at rates of 5 or 10 lb. per acre was little better than untreated checks. Aerial applications of 3% DDT dusts applied at rates of 25 to 30 lb. per acre gave excellent kills of rootworm adults. Field observations indicated that such treatments reduced rootworm populations so effectively that lodging was of little consequence the following season. The difficulty and losses experienced by farmers attempting to harvest corn from lodged and fallen stalks is serious.

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