D3369: Conservation biological control in Vip3A X Cry1Ab Bt protected sweet corn and its non-Bt isogenic hybrid using native perennial plants or pasture borders in Franklin County, Kentucky

A study was conducted using 19 species of native perennial plants or pasture bordering sweet corn, Zea mays L. Vip3A X Cry1Ab Bt sweet corn having both cry protein and vegetative insecticidal protein (VIP) and its non-Bt isogenic hybrid. Attribute II Remedy^® and Providence^® were the Bt and non-Bt sweet corn hybrids used in 2022. The study was conducted at the Kentucky State University Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Franklin County, Kentucky. A randomized complete block design with stratification was used, with four replications and four treatments: two levels of border row treatment (pasture and native perennial plants) and two levels of corn hybrid treatment (Bt and non-Bt). Sixteen plots were created by splitting each of the eight larger existing plots 25 m X 10 m with an unplanted strip between them and 2 m wide native perennial or pasture border rows. Yellow sticky traps 15 cm X 15 cm were deployed and replaced weekly to trap beneficial insects. Ten randomly selected corn ears were sampled from each plot to assess the damage. It is anticipated that the minute pirate bug, Orius sp.; big-eyed bug, Geocoris sp.; pink lady beetle, Coleomegila maculata; and multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis will be the most abundant beneficial predatory species found. Results will be discussed relative to each border type and compared to the previous year’s results.