Gardening

Scout Early for Soybean Aphids

Posted: 8/5/2010

Early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing crop damage and yield loss from soybean aphid infestation.

(NAPSI) - For soybean growers, there's no such thing as a year off from soybean aphid scouting. Winfield Solutions agronomist Steve Barnhart reminds growers that aphid infestations can develop during any given growing season under the right conditions. And because aphid populations can double in just two to three days, the agronomist stresses the importance of timely scouting and treatment.

Scout early, maximize treatment

Early aphid scouting has already begun and should be in force by mid-July, continuing until soybean seed formation is complete. Once aphid populations reach a rate of approximately 250 aphids per plant on 70 to 80 percent of plants, growers have a five- to seven-day window to apply an insecticide before yield potential is compromised.

"Soybean aphids thrive deep within the canopy and under leaves, so proper insecticide coverage is critical," says Barnhart. He recommends managing spray droplet size with adequate carrier volume, appropriate nozzles and an effective deposition aid. "Too fine, and droplets won't penetrate the crop's canopy. Too coarse, and coverage will be reduced."

Cool and dry conditions are especially favorable for the development of soybean aphid infestations.

For more information on soybean aphid defense, visit agrisolutionsinfo.com.

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