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Courteney Simpson
Bio 102 MW 11–1215
Instructor: Riggs-Shute
November 25, 2017
Plant Case Study
The Corn-Troversial Recall:
A GMO or Genetically Modified Organism is an organism whose genome has been
altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes
not normally found there. It is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of
one species is extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal.
The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals, or even humans. (“GMO
Education”)
The most common pest on a corn plant is the cutworm species. Cutworm caterpillars
are stout, soft-bodied, gray or dull brown in color. They feed at night and bury themselves into
the soil during the day. Cutworms can destroy up to 75% of a crop of corn. They damage the
plants at night when the caterpillars clip off seedling stems near or just below the soil surface.
Different cutworm species will climb plants doing damage to the leaves and buds.
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There are several different ways to prevent cutworms. One way is by making sure all
weeds and debris are removed from the planting area before the crop is planted. Leave a three-
foot or more wide space of bare soil between the crops and any yards or trees nearby. Plant
sunflowers along the edge of the field giving time to spray for the worms before they reach the
corn crop.
When dealing with an infestation of cutworms there are several measures to take to rid
the corn crop of the worms. If you notice a lot of birds around your fields of corn that is a clear
indicator that you most likely have cutworms. Finding holes on the crop leaves are also in
indicator of cutworms. The best way to rid your crop of an infestation is by spraying certain
