Update on Soybean Aphid Management in Organic Systems: August 2007Soybean aphid (photos available at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/SP247X2007.pdf) has been noted as increasing in many organic soybean fields this summer. From results of our research conducted in 2003, we found a reduction in aphid numbers with applications of a neem-based organic-compliant insecticide called Neemix™ (Certis, Columbia, MD). Information on this product is available at: http://www.certisusa.com/products/neemix-botanical-agricultural-insecticide.htm There are other neem-based insecticides, including Aza-Direct™ (Gowan Co., Yuma, AZ). Their website is: http://www.aza-direct.com/ It is important to scout for aphids before you spray (if over 250 aphids per plant) and for the amount of natural enemies you have in your fields. We have found up to 10 species of natural enemies (ladybeetles, lacewings, parasitic wasps) that are feeding on the aphids and oftentimes, their biological control is sufficient. We are conducting experiments in 2007 on soybean aphid management with different organic insecticides compared to a control plot with only natural enemies. Please keep records of your own results and share them with us at the Iowa Organic Conference on November 19, 2007 http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/events/orgconf07nov19.html |
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|Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture| |Sustainable Agriculture Extension| |Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture| |Iowa Dept. of Ag. & Land Stewardship Organic Program| |Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)| |Comments
on web site| Page last updated 11/11/08 |
Contact: Dr.
Kathleen Delate, Associate Professor |
Organic
Agriculture Lab |
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