Effects of Foliar Fungicide and Insecticide Applications on Soybean in Ohio

Abstract

Mid-season applications of Quadris with and without Warrior insecticide were evaluated in 2004 and 2005, and Headline, Folicur, Domark, or Headline plus Folicur were evaluated in 2006, 2007, and 2008 in 37 farm scale studies in Ohio. Producer cooperators selected fields, applied treatments at growth stage R3 and harvested fields. Each trial was rated at growth stage R5 or R6 for incidence and severity of brown spot and frogeye leaf spot. Aphids and foliar disease incidence was low in 2004. Soybean aphids were counted at stage R5 in 2005. Brown spot severity was reduced significantly by Headline in seven of the 13 locations. In the absence of soybean aphid, a single application of fungicide(s) increased yield significantly in only six of the 28 locations, of which only three had yield increases greater than 4.2 bu/acre. Populations of soybean aphids were high during 2005 at nine locations, and an insecticide application increased yield significantly at eight locations. These data indicated that foliar diseases and aphids contribute to yield loss in soybeans. However, more studies are required to determine action thresholds for brown spot and frogeye leaf spot. Accepted for publication 14 October 2010. Published 22 January 2010.