Effects of Southern Green Stink Bug Damage on Yield and Quality of Soybeans123

Abstract

Caged soybean plants were infested artificially with Nezara viridula (L.) at various population densities to determine effects of feeding damage on yield and quality of soybeans. Significant reductions in seed yield and significant increases in seed damage were recorded from population densities of 1, 3, and 5 bugs/row-ft. Seeds harvested from cages containing 40 pods infested on 4 dates with a single bug exhibited 63.9–78.5% damage. Germination, emergence, and seedling survival were reduced significantly by all degrees of southern green stink bug damage. Total oil content decreased and total protein content increased as percentage and degree of southern green stink bug damage increased.