In order to develop more effective pest
management strategies, it is essential to understand how different pests
interact with each other and the crop.
Field studies were conducted in 2003 and 2004 at two Nebraska locations to determine the effects
of early season crop defoliation on the critical time for weed removal (CTWR)
in narrow row soybean. Three soybean defoliation
levels were selected to simulate 0%, 30%, and 60% leaf tissue removal by the
bean leaf beetle. Weeds were allowed to
compete with the crop until V2, V4, V6, R3, and R5 growth stages. There were also season long weedy and weed-free
treatments. Results indicated that the
CTWR in soybean occurred earlier as defoliation levels increased from 0 to
60%. The CTWR occurred at V3, V2, and V1
growth stage for 0%, 30%, and 60% defoliation levels, respectively. Overall, 60% defoliation resulted in earlier
CTWR by at least 14 d. Yield losses from
defoliation and weed interference were primarily associated with a reduction in
number of pods plant-1.