Martin M. Williams II Corresponding author. U.S. Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Weed Management Research, University of Illinois, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801; [email protected] The critical period for weed control (CPWC) identifies the phase of the crop growth cycle when weed interference results in unacceptable yield losses; however, the effect of ...

Stewart’s disease, caused by Pantoea stewartii (Smith), can cause severe economic damage to seed and sweet corn crops due to phytosanitary regulations that prevent the export of seed corn, as well as causing direct reductions in yield. To date, there are no quantitative data on the aggressiveness of P. stewartii isolates at the plant scale, nor on the temporal and spatial spread of this pathoge...

Plastic reflective mulches significantly reduced populations of corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott), adults and the incidence of corn stunt disease caused by Spiroplasma kunkelii (CSS) in late planted sweet corn (Zea mays L.). The reflective mulches were more effective than were either foliar or soil applied insecticides in managing both the leafhopper and the pathogen it transm...