Development of integrated pest management techniques: Insect pest management on soybean

Abstract

Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, is one of the most damaging insect pests of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, in the Midwestern United States and soybean producing Canadian provinces. Although significant advances in soybean aphid management have occurred using biological control (classical and conservation) and aphid resistant varieties, most growers continue to rely on insecticides for aphid management. Many groups have evaluated the efficacy of different insecticides. However, few if any have addressed the effect of insecticide application techniques on insecticide efficacy. We compared the effect of three insecticide application techniques on soybean aphid populations in Iowa over a three-year time period (2005-2007). Foliar contact insecticides (a pyrethroid, an organophosphate, both alone and in combination) were applied to naturally occurring soybean aphid populations. The insecticides were applied using techniques that varied the coverage. Coverage was varied by nozzle selection (TeeJet ® 8002 XR and 11002 TJ), pressure (138 Kpa and 276 Kpa), and carrier volume (181 and 362 L per ha) to achieve