2016
Evaluating soybean aphid management with an expanded toolbox
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Iowa Soybean Association
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Biotic stressCrop protectionField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Erin Hodgson, Iowa State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
450-30-49
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Iowa Soybean Association
(n/a)
Institution Funded:
Iowa State University
(n/a)
Brief Project Summary:

Research results revealed that soybean cyst nematode reproduction increased by 500% when soybeans were infected with aphids. This positive interaction was observed on nematode-resistant varieties, suggesting farmers may lose yield protection conferred by nematode resistance when aphids are present. Managing aphids, even below the economic injury level, may contribute to suppressing soybean cyst nematode and synergistic yield loss. The roles aphid resistant-varieties and insecticides play for optimizing soybean yield are unclear. This research contribute to a better understanding of pest biology, management and yield protection. Experimental plots evaluate insect management tactics, like seed treatments, foliar insecticides and host plant resistance. These tactics will be evaluated alone and in combination to determine optimum yield protection.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Timeline: Each year, the cycle of research and extension activities will be the same:
• Winter: plan list of treatments and protocols; request seed, land, equipment, and vehicles; and present lectures at winter meetings.
• Spring: hire undergraduate student; treat seeds; purchase field and spray equipment; establish plots; plant seed; and present at summer meetings.
• Summer: collect agronomic and pest-related data; and apply foliar treatments.
• Fall: harvest plots; and write summary reports (e.g., Yellow Book, AMT).

Expected Outputs: Data collected every summer will become publically available each year with the following publications:
• Yellow Book for Soybean Insects is free and available electronically at my lab website
(www.ent.iastate.edu/soybeanresearch/content/extension) and at the ISA Publications website (www.iasoybeans.com/programs/production-research/publications).
• Arthropod Management Tests publication will be generated each winter. These publications are nationally recognized for insecticide efficacy evaluations and available to Entomological Society of America members (www.entsoc.org/Pubs/Periodicals/AMT).
• Regular updates during the growing season for soybean aphid and other pests through ICM News, podcasts (www.ent.iastate.edu/soybeanaphid/resources) and ISU Crops blog (http://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews).

As an example of my extension activity related to soybean pest management from 2013-2014, I created the following products and activities:
• 2 refereed journal articles in Arthropod Management Tests [ESA publication] (Hodgson and VanNostrand 2014, 2015)
• 1 CABI article for soybean aphid
• 5 oral presentations and 5 posters at ESA [professional scientific meeting]
• 3 proceeding articles for non-scientific audience
• 25 presentations [2,024 people] and 14 field days [655 people]
• 2 Yellow Books for soybean aphid efficacy evaluations (Hodgson and VanNostrand 2013, 2014)
• 16 articles in ICM News [5,500 subscribers]
• 1 CCA Module, 2 videos for Private Applicator Training, 1 webcast for Plant Management Network, and 3 short YouTube videos

Expected Stakeholder Outcomes:
• recognize soybean aphid and other soybean pests [short term skill];
• improve general pest management approaches, including the effect of multiple pests and the potential for cumulative injury [short term skill];
• implement scouting and adopt economic thresholds for soybean pests [short term knowledge];
• become aware and understand the benefits of host plant resistance for soybean aphid [short term knowledge];
• reduce insecticide use, including seed and foliar treatments [long term skill];
• increase adoption of host plant resistance on commercial farms [long term skill];
• understand the implications for soybean aphid genetic resistance to insecticides [long term knowledge]; and
• improve profit margins by reducing input costs [long term knowledge].

Final Project Results

Update:
See report above under October 3, 2016

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.