In the journey from planting to harvest, effective pest management plays a vital role in soybean cultivation. While some might assume that scouting for insects becomes less crucial once pods start forming, experts stress the need for consistent vigilance to protect yields and profits.
Even as soybeans enter the pod stage, leaves remain critical for fueling bean development within the pods. Premature leaf loss can hinder proper bean growth. Stinkbugs also pose a threat during the drying-down phase, as they can damage pods, leading to diseased beans. While this isn't an annual issue, it has caused lower-quality soybeans in the past.
Two pests of concern during the pod stage are bean leaf beetles and stinkbugs. They target ripening pods and continue feeding until soybeans mature. Bean leaf beetles become problematic when around 5% of pods are damaged or if there are about 10 beetles per foot of row.
Detecting stinkbug damage is trickier due to their piercing mouthparts. Using a sweep net help scout for them. Around 20 stinkbugs per 100 sweeps might warrant insecticide use. As pods mature, they become less appealing to these pests, reducing the need for scouting.
Consistent field scouting offers insights throughout the crop's lifecycle. It informs timely decisions and helps manage pest-related challenges effectively. For stinkbugs, intervention might be needed if there's one-third to one stinkbug per foot of row up to mid-pod fill. Profitability decreases as pods develop. Scouting for bean leaf beetles extends from the R5 to R7 reproductive stages. If about 10% of pods show injury and three beetles per net sweep are found, action might be necessary.
Soybean cultivation involves various stages, and pest management is crucial. Whether in the pod stage or other phases, maintaining consistent scouting is an investment in preserving yield potential and crop quality, contributing to a successful harvest.
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Categories: Indiana, Crops, Soybeans