Michigan State University and the Monsanto Co. are collaborating to support research on corn rootworm, one of the most damaging agricultural pests in the United States.
Monsanto has pledged an additional $3 million to support academic research on corn rootworm. This funding extends the Corn Rootworm Knowledge Research Program, which started early this year, to 2016.
The program provides merit-based awards of up to $250,000 per year for up to three years for outstanding research projects that address corn rootworm-related topics.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated that the damage caused by corn rootworm and the costs associated with controlling it typically total $1 billion annually – approximately $800 million in yield loss and $200 million in treatment expenses.
“The extension of this program will further increase the intense research efforts by our best public sector researchers on this challenging and damaging pest,” said program co-chair Steve Pueppke, associate vice president for research and graduate studies at MSU. “This research will ensure better management practices that will be effective and sustainable for the benefit of corn producers.”
Additional information, key dates and instructions on how to apply are available at www.Monsanto.com/CRWknowledge.