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Title: Bean leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) response to soybean variety and organic-compliant treatments in Iowa

Author
item DELATE, KATHLEEN - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item DEWITT, JERALD - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item MCKERN, ANDREA - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item ROSMANN, DANIEL - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Karlen, Douglas
item TURNBULL, ROBERT - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2009
Publication Date: 5/29/2009
Citation: Delate, K., Dewitt, J., Mckern, A., Rosmann, D., Karlen, D.L., Turnbull, R. 2009. Bean Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Response to Soybean Variety and Organic-compliant Treatments in Iowa. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 25:145-163.

Interpretive Summary: Certified organic soybean producers were losing market share because infestations of the soybean leaf beetle led to staining of the soybean seed. Several organic certified treatments were evaluated but none were effective. Producers are encouraged to select soybean varieties that resist insect feeding but will probably need to rely on seed sorting to prevent rejection of their product in the foreign marketplace. This work is important to organic producers, extension personnel, and those providing them management information.

Technical Abstract: In response to concerns from certified organic producers who were experiencing significant market losses due to seed staining of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], we evaluated alternative ways to manage bean leaf beetles [Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster)] (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a known vector for the seed-staining bean pod mottle virus (BPMV). From 2000 through 2006, organic-compliant treatments, including insecticidal and soil fertility products in use by organic farmers, were compared in on-farm and experiment-station trials. Two soybean varieties, Northrup-King 2412 (NK2412) and Pioneer Brand 9305 (P9305), were also evaluated for bean leaf beetle populations. Overall, the NK2412 variety hosted fewer beetles although there was not a significant yield effect. None of the organic-compliant treatments provided measurable control of bean leaf beetle populations, nor did they affect beneficial insect populations. Organic soybean yields ranged from 1.8 to 3.7 Mg ha-1 across all years with no effect from treatments. Producers are encouraged to select soybean varieties based on insect pest response and to monitor bean leaf beetle populations to determine the effectiveness of this strategy in organic systems.