As a farmer growing soybeans, one of the significant challenges that you might face is dealing with caterpillar infestations. These pests can cause significant damage to your crops and reduce your harvest yields. Therefore, it is essential to learn about the control of caterpillars in soybean to take appropriate measures before they can lead to severe losses.
Before discussing control measures, it is prudent to understand a few basics about caterpillars. Soybean caterpillars include the loopers and the armyworms; both cause damage to leaves and can eventually lead to stunt growth and wilting. They attack soybeans during the vegetative and reproductive stages, with the later usually causing more harm as it undermines bean growth and development.
Now that we know the primary culprits of caterpillar damage, let’s discuss how to control them.
1. Plant early maturing varieties – Early maturing soybean varieties have a shorter vegetative period, which minimizes the exposure period of your plants to caterpillars.
2. Crop rotation – Rotation is one of the many cultural control practices of caterpillars. Rotation maintains soil health, and the new crop introduces pests that are not caterpillar-friendly reducing their population.
3. Use biological control – Biological control uses natural pests such as parasitic wasps and flies to reduce the number of caterpillars. Introduce these natural enemies to the field to control the caterpillar population.
4. Chemical control – Insecticides have proven to be quite effective in controlling caterpillars. Regular scouting of the field, especially during the reproductive stage, is essential in knowing when to spray.
5. Environmental modification – Constructing windbreaks reduces the severity of caterpillar infestations. These windbreaks reduce pest pressure while providing a suitable microclimate for soybeans to grow.
In conclusion, by understanding the basic biology of caterpillars that target soybeans, farmers can take proactive measures to reduce their impact. Of course, the measures you choose will depend heavily on the level of caterpillar infestation, and the best course of control. As always, it is highly recommended to consult local experts in the sector to help you make the most appropriate choice on management.