Soybean Fungicide

Josh Hinkle, Ag Partners Sales Agronomist

As we roll into August, it is time to think more seriously about applying fungicide and insecticide to soybeans. A few key indicators for this application are proper growth stage and knowing your disease and insect pressures. When soybeans begin the R3 stage, we must consider pressures may continue through the growing season as well.

This year Ag Partners agronomists in the eastern regions have seen a large variety of insects in soybeans at this point in the growing season. To note, the main pests we have seen are Japanese beetles, stink bugs, bean leaf beetles, thistle caterpillars and grasshoppers. While we think about the thresholds each of these insects relate to, we may not see the right amount of defoliation or high enough numbers of these insects at this time. However, we don’t necessarily want those thresholds to be met. For example, we look at stink bugs, it is important to remember past years where we have seen second flushes come through in the few weeks after the soybeans hit the R3 stage. With our insecticide recommendation of Endigo ZC^®, we have a systemic residual that will stay inside the plant for 21-28 days after application. The systemic aspect of Endigo is critical to control stink bugs as they are a piercing insect that can slip by foliar residual products. This product also has a great residual length of foliar feeding pests such as bean leaf and Japanese beetles.

As we make insecticide applications, fungicide is a good fit as a tank mix partner. Trivapro^® and Miravis^® Neo are both great products when talking soybean fungicides. The residual on these products is top of the line in the agriculture industry. Fungicides assist with pod retention in soybeans as we begin the pod set growth stage of R3. The more pods that are retained help the ROI of these products. The main effects of these products are disease control and stress mitigation. In such a critical stage of reproduction that determines a high percentage of yield, we must help the plant stay relaxed to maximize yields and return on investment on each acre.

If you have any questions on these products or the right decision for your field, contact your local Ag Partners agronomist for the best recommendation for your acre.