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<OL> <LI> Conduct regional research/demonstration trials comparing IPM practices for soybean aphid.<LI> Understand soybean aphid biology at the landscape scale.<LI> Integrate soybean aphid IPM into multi-pest, multi-crop systems.<LI> Develop and implement systems for delivery and measurement of soybean aphid IPM implementation and adoption.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The soybean aphid is a major new invasive pest of soybean in North America. In 2003, over 42 million acres of soybean in the North Central US were infested and over 7 million acres were treated with insecticides to control soybean aphid. Producers, industry and university research/Extension personnel have identified the soybean aphid as one of the greatest threats to the US soybean industry. The overall goal of the proposed RAMP project is to help transition the North Central US soybean industry to a sustainable and ecologically-based IPM system for soybean aphid that is compatible with the multi-pest and multi-crop ecosystems that occur in the region.
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APPROACH: Each participating state will conduct IPM Comparison trials contrasting current grower and best management practices. To better time scouting and control practices participants will conduct research to predict the pattern and timing of alate production and aphid dispersal and elucidate the role of natural enemies in suppressing soybean aphid. To integrate soybean aphid IPM into multi-pest, multi-crop systems participants will investigate soybean aphid virus transmission and compatibility of soybean rust control with soybean aphid IPM. Finally, participants will deliver revised soybean aphid management recommendations, perform economic/environmental analyses, and measure adoption of soybean IPM via grower surveys and focus groups.