Simulation of moderate levels of slug injury to soybean

Authors
Citation
Rb. Hammond, Simulation of moderate levels of slug injury to soybean, CROP PROT, 19(2), 2000, pp. 113-120
Citations number
18
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Agriculture/Agronomy
Journal title
CROP PROTECTION
ISSN journal
0261-2194 → ACNP
Volume
19
Issue
2
Year of publication
2000
Pages
113 - 120
Database
ISI
SICI code
0261-2194(200003)19:2<113:SOMLOS>2.0.ZU;2-K
Abstract
Slugs became a significant problem in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, in the eastern USA cornbelt as growers adopted conservation tillage productio n practices. Little information is known about the consequences from slug i njury on soybean growth and yield. This study examined the effects of moder ate levels of simulated slug injury, i.e., stand loss and defoliation to th e unifoliate and Ist trifoliate leaflets, to the crop. Soybean stands were established at levels at and above those requiring replanting, and defoliat ion was done by removing 50% of the unifoliate and Ist trifoliate leaflets. Plant growth measurements were taken during the summer and yields recorded . The greatest impact on yield was from reduced plant stands, with 50% defo liation of the unifoliate leaflet having a much lesser impact. There was li ttle effect from injury to the Ist trifoliate. Results suggest that growers should be most concerned when slug injury causes reduced stands and from d efoliation to the unifoliate leaflet. Early planting that allows for maximu m growth of the plant before slugs become active in later spring would lowe r the potential for economic losses. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.