Herbicide-Resistant Soybean Varieties
Part 2, Section 4: Soybean Pest Management
Soybean Pest Management
A well-planned pest management program for soybean involves using multiple strategies. These should include preventive techniques such as monitoring, cultural controls, mechanical or physical controls, biological controls, and chemical control tactics. Preventive techniques may start with planting weed-free crop seed or choosing an alternative field or planting date. Regularly monitoring for pests is an important predictive tool. Rotating crops to disrupt pest life cycles and planting adapted varieties are good examples of cultural controls. Mechanical or physical controls may include tillage and mowing to disrupt certain pests. Biological controls may include using insect or disease organisms or even grazing animals in pasture production systems. Finally, chemical controls are an important component of many IPM systems, but their use should be based on sound management decisions. See section 1 of this guide for more information about designing an integrated pest management program.
This guide provides chemical control suggestions based on university research and manufacturer recommendations. Management information for common soybean pest problems is outlined in the following pages under “Weeds,” “Insects,” and “Diseases.” For more information on soybean management and variety selection, see Part 1, Section 6. This publication strives for accuracy; however, omissions, inaccuracies, or dated information can occur because of the dynamics of pests and pest management. Seek out additional information from the manufacturer or other reliable sources when making important management decisions. Remember, this guide is not a substitute for the manufacturer'’s product label.
Herbicide-Resistant Soybean Varieties
Herbicide-resistant traits are available in several soybean varieties. Some of these traits are the result of transgenic events involving the introduction or transfer of one or more genes from a different plant or organism. Consumer concern about these transgenic crops has affected some export markets. Other herbicide-resistant traits result from more traditional plant breeding techniques; the marketability of these crops has not been affected by consumer concern.
Information about herbicide resistance, other agronomic traits, yield potential, and marketability is available for some of these varieties. Others may be relatively new with little public exposure or performance information. Consult university variety testing results, other public variety tests, and local seedsmen for performance information about newer varieties.
Following is a brief summary of herbicide-resistant soybean varieties currently available or soon to be released. See detailed information on herbicide use for these crops later in this section. Refer to Part 2, Section 1, Pest Management, for additional information and concerns associated with herbicide-tolerant crops.
The STS soybean/herbicide system provides enhanced crop safety from certain sulfonylurea herbicides such as Harmony and Classic. Varieties were developed using tolerance selection methods to increase herbicide tolerance. The STS seed/herbicide system is designed to provide good weed control without crop injury. Although these varieties were developed to be used in combination with STS-labeled herbicides, they also provide greater safety from many of the ALS-type herbicides.
LibertyLink soybeans are genetically engineered to allow over-the-top applications of Liberty (glufosinate) herbicide. This program should provide broad-spectrum control of annual broadleaves and grasses of low to moderate pressure. Sequential applications or tank mixtures may be required for new weed flushes and for perennials.
Roundup Ready soybeans were developed using genetic engineering techniques. This system allows over-the-top applications of Roundup and some other glyphosate-type products to soybeans from cracking to flowering. The program allows timely application and provides broad-spectrum control of many annual and perennial grasses and broadleaves. Sequential applications may be required for harder-to-control perennials and wide row plantings.
