Impact of the Early Soybean Production System on Arthropod Pest Populations in Georgia

Abstract

Abstract The early soybean production system (ESPS) in the southern region of the United States is being promoted as a cropping practice that reduces the risk of drought stress to the crop. This ESPS involves planting an early-maturing soybean cultivar, ≈4–6 wk before planting the conventional later-maturing soybean cultivars. A field study was conducted in Georgia soybeans in 1997–1999 to compare arthropod pest seasonal abundance, insect-induced defoliation, and yields between ESPS and conventionally planted soybeans. The conventional soybean production system had higher populations of late season defoliators, including the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, and the soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker). The percentage defoliation was higher in the conventional system than in the ESPS all three years. The threecornered alfalfa hopper, Spissistilus festinus (Say), was more abundant in the ESPS in early season, but similar population densities were observed in July–August in bo...