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MU Greenley Center to feature aphid research at Aug. 7 field dayMissouri Soybean aphids can cause substantial yield loss, and the pests may be a particular threat in Missouri this year with late-planted soybeans, said University of Missouri specialists. In past years, the insects have been found in Missouri in high numbers. They migrate from northern states and normally appear in Missouri from late July to mid-August, said Clint Meinhardt, research specialist at the MU Greenley Memorial Research Center, Novelty, Mo. "They haven't shown up here yet, but last year they showed up in mid-June, which is earlier than usual," he said. "With soybean planting at least a month behind this year, if soybean aphids come in, producers will have a greater need to control them." Meinhardt will present results of soybean aphid research during the pest-management tour at this year's MU Greenley Memorial Research Center Field Day, Aug. 7. "They cause significant damage in northern states and have required pesticide applications," he said. Aphid populations can reach several thousand per plant, which vastly exceeds the economic threshold of 250 aphids per plant. Last year, soybean aphids reached threshold levels at the Greenley Center, which is in northeastern Missouri. In response, Meinhardt and researchers at the center set up a research trial to study effects of the infestation. "We looked at different economic thresholds. We wanted to see what would happen if we followed the recommendation of 250 aphids per plant," Meinhardt said. "We sprayed certain plots once they reached that level, and, in other plots, the aphids were allowed to grow." Researchers also planned to spray when aphids numbered 1,000 per plant to compare the effectiveness of treatment when populations far exceeded the economic threshold, but numbers never reached that level. "But it was one of those things; we had the opportunity to do the research because we had natural infestation levels," Meinhardt said. Researchers found significant differences between treated and untreated plots. "When we treated at 250 aphids per plant, we saw a yield increase of 4 bushels per acre, even though the plants were in a later growth stage," he said. "On last year's commodity prices, it would have paid for itself." With higher commodity prices for soybeans this year and the possibility of a late aphid migration, Meinhardt said research on treating the pest might interest soybean producers. "My stop will highlight what control measures would be necessary if we have soybean aphids this year, and the yield responses we've observed," Meinhardt said. "Because we have smaller beans out there earlier in their reproductive stages, there's a greater likelihood of problems if aphids do show up in late July or early August." The pest-management tour also will also include MU Extension weed specialist Kevin Bradley, who will discuss new herbicide management options in corn, and weed specialist Reid Smeda, who will talk about management of volunteer corn in transgenic corn. During the crops tour, Kelly Nelson, research agronomist at the Greenley Center, will discuss strip-till in corn; graduate student Doug Ludwig will describe a project studying the cost effectiveness of variable-source nitrogen applications in corn; and Jim Woods, of Woods Flying Service, will present an overview of aerial applications in today's production systems. The beef-and-forage tour will feature four stops: MU Extension commercial agriculture specialist Justin Sexton will review strategies to manage feed costs; agronomist Leon McIntyre will present an adapted forage update; livestock specialist Zac Erwin will discuss temperament and its relation to growth; and MU graduate student Dallas Wilson will evaluate short-term CIDR-based protocols used to synchronize estrus in postpartum beef cows. Mick Martin, co-owner of Four Winds Energy in Camp Point, Ill., will present a talk during lunch, titled "Is Small Wind for You?" After lunch, those who are interested can go on a walking tour of the MU Drainage and Subirrigation project at the nearby Ross Jones Farm. For more information on the field day, call the Greenley Center at 660-739-4410. 8/4/08 Date: 7/31/08
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