Widespread use of crop management practices that reduce the effect of
corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) larval feeding damage on maize (Zea ma
ys L.) plant lodging or grain yield production would reduce grower rel
iance on chemical pesticides. Nitrogen fertilizer placement can affect
root system morphology and distribution within the soil profile. This
study was conducted to determine if N fertilizer placement can be use
d as a tool to improve maize tolerance to rootworm infestation. The ef
fects of planting time broadcast or split-applied (planting-cultivatio
n) banded N (UAN; 28-0-0 N-P-K) treatments on root larval feeding dama
ge, root pull resistance, lodging, grain yield, and survival of larvae
to adult stage under different levels of controlled rootworm larval i
nfestation were investigated. Results of the 3-yr field experiment sug
gest that root systems were generally larger (greater root pull resist
ance) under banded N (85 kg plant(-1)) than under broadcast N (68 kg p
lant(-1)) at the time when rootworm larval feeding had ceased. Lodging
(stem greater than 30 degrees from vertical) in broadcast N plots (51
%) was greater than that seen in banded N plots (41%). If tolerance to
rootworm larval feeding damage is defined by the presence of a large
root system and by the ability of the stem to stand erect, then banded
N fertilizer placement can help improve tolerance to corn rootworm la
rval feeding damage.