Ecology and management of soybean aphid and other insect pests of soybean;
Kelley Tilmon ( South Dakota State University) ($40000). The Project Manager's email is Kelley.Tilmon@sdstate.edu.
Key Words: Soybean Aphid - Genetic Resistance, SA-Management, Soybean Aphid - Biocontrol
Research on soybean aphids is a relatively new effort in South Dakota. This project supports the SDSU program to study the management and ecology of soybean insects. The long-term scientific goal of the research effort is to develop an IPM system for soybean insect pests that minimize insecticide use and costs, while maximizing the role of natural enemies and resistant soybean varieties.
The objectives of this project are to:
• Test the “speed scouting” method of soybean aphid threshold monitoring. This effort involves comparing “speed scouting” to traditional scouting with a 250 aphid threshold, prophylactic treatment with five aphids per plant, and an untreated control. Aphids will be monitored weekly and the plots will be treated with insecticide based on scouting data, and yields will be compared at the end of the season for the four scouting practices;
• Initiate field screening for aphid resistance in soybean germplasm breeding lines. This effort involves field studies where several soybean lines are compared to susceptible soybean cultivars;
• Expand the release and monitoring program for the soybean aphid parasitoid, Binodxys communis. Working with other entomologist in the North Central Region, Dr. Tilmon will participate in the parasitoid release program; and
• Conduct a field study to determine the interaction between natural enemies and resistant soybean varieties for soybean aphid suppression. The effort involves developing information on whether the actions of natural enemies and resistant varieties are additive, or whether plant resistance impacts the biological controls.
This project is funded by South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
Website is funded by the soybean checkoff
