Soybean is one of the major crops of the world that is grown extensively for its protein and oil-rich seeds. However, soybean cultivation is often threatened by various sucking and chewing insects that can cause significant damage to the crop. These insects feed on the plant’s leaves, stems, and pods, leading to reduced yield and quality of the soybean crop. Therefore, the effective control measures of these insects are essential for the successful cultivation of soybean crops. In this article, we will discuss control measures of sucking and chewing insects in soybean crop.
1. Cultural Control Measures
Cultural control measures are the first line of defense against insect pests. They involve the use of agronomic practices that help to reduce insect populations and minimize the risk of infestation. The following cultural control measures can help control sucking and chewing insects in soybean crops.
– Planting dates: Early planting of soybean crops can help to avoid high numbers of insect pests as they are not yet established in the field.
– Crop rotation: Crop rotation helps to discourage insect pests that are crop-specific by introducing plants that are not attractive to them.
– Destruction of crop debris: Crop debris left in the field after harvest can harbor overwintering pests that can attack the next crop. Therefore, it is essential to remove crop debris and bury it or burn it to kill the pests.
2. Biological Control Measures
Biological control measures involve the use of natural enemies of insect pests to control their populations. The following biological control measures can be used to control sucking and chewing insects in soybean crops.
– Parasitoids: Parasitoids are insects that lay their eggs on the host insect, and then their larvae develop and consume the host. This helps to reduce the population of sucking and chewing insects in the field.
– Predators: Predatory insects such as beetles, lacewings, and spiders can feed on sucking and chewing insects, providing effective control.
– Microorganisms: Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses can be used to control insect pests in soybean crops. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium that produces toxins that kill insect larvae when ingested.
3. Chemical Control Measures
Chemical control measures involve the use of pesticides to control insect pests. These pesticides can be toxic to the pest, causing death or reducing their ability to feed and reproduce. The following chemical control measures can be used to control sucking and chewing insects in soybean crops.
– Insecticides: Insecticides are chemicals that are sprayed directly on to the plants to kill insects. They can be applied as foliar sprays or as seed treatments.
– Systemic insecticides: Systemic insecticides are chemicals that are applied to the soil or seed, and then taken up by the plant’s tissues. This helps to control insect pests that feed on plant parts that are not directly sprayed.
– Insect growth regulators: Insect growth regulators interfere with the development of the insect, preventing it from maturing or reproducing.
In conclusion, the control measures of sucking and chewing insects in soybean crops are essential to ensure healthy yields and high-quality crops. A combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control measures can be used to effectively manage insect pests. Farmers should carefully consider the options available and choose the most suitable control measures to maintain a healthy and productive soybean crop.