Farms.com Home   News

Insecticide Evaluation Results Available For Soybean Aphid Management

The 2015 extension publication provides treatment application rates, timing and effect on yield
 
The Yellow Book for Soybean Aphid 2015 Report of Insecticide Evaluation is now available as a free download at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Store. The publication provides soybean aphid treatment recommendations and application rates based on research conducted at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm and the Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm in 2015. The report also includes insecticide effectiveness on the soybean aphid and yield, and information on the soybean aphid life cycle and scouting methods.
 
The Yellow Book has been published annually since 2005 with trial results and evaluations. Erin Hodgson, associate professor in the Department of Entomology and extension entomologist with ISU Extension and Outreach, took over writing the publication in 2009. This particular evaluation is important because of the economic importance of soybean aphid.
 
 
“Soybean aphids have only been confirmed in Iowa since 2010, so there were not a lot of insecticides being used,” said Hodgson. “The potential for economic loss has led to more insecticide products for farmers, with changed chemistries and formulations.”
 
With more insecticide use, Hodgson said she receives a lot of questions from farmers asking which products are best to use for soybean aphid management, and if the new products are better than the old.
 
“The publication gives treatment application results on insecticide performance and its effect on yield, so farmers can select an insecticide that fits their operational needs,” said Hodgson.
 
At the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm in Nashua application rates, timing, yield summary and plant resistant information on 21 different insecticides was evaluated. The Yellow Book for Soybean Aphid uses both graphs and tables to convey the information.
 
Hodgson recommends using insecticides when aphids reach the economic threshold of 250 per plant. Spraying too early or too late will not likely produce a yield response, she warns. And while insecticide resistance has not yet been a problem in Iowa, at some point, she predicts it will be.   
 
“To avoid resistance, I recommend mixing up the chemistries from one year to the next,” said Hodgson. “Farmers now have a huge toolbox of products that they can use to switch it up from year to year.”
 

Trending Video

Ag Issues Heat Up Under the Gold Dome

Video: Ag Issues Heat Up Under the Gold Dome

From wildlife nuisances to foreign land ownership, legislative action heats up under the Gold Dome in Atlanta with ag issues taking the spotlight.