This study evaluated the effects of different soybean injury levels at early growth stages of the plants. The experiments were carried out in two different growing seasons, using a randomized complete block design, with 11 treatments in the first and 10 treatments in the second season, and four replications. The 'BRS 133' soybean cultivar was used, and the injury levels tested were: 1-Control; 2-Removal of 1 cotyledon; 3-Removal of both cotyledons; 4-Removal of both cotyledons + 1 unifoliate leaf; 5-Removal of both cotyledons + both unifoliate leaves; 6-Removal of 1 unifoliate leaf; 7-removal of both unifoliate leaves; 8-Cut below unifoliate leaves; 9-Removal of trifoliate leaf sprouts; 10-Total defoliation; 11-Total defoliation + removal of apical bud (only in the first trial). Injury was manually imposed, and insecticides were applied weekly to prevent injury by insects. The results showed that the soybean yield was reduced only when the injury was severe enough to cause plant stand reductions as a consequence of plant death. This occurred for treatments 5, 10 and 11. Under the other treatments, the soybean plants were able to recover. These findings show that the recommended economic threshold of 30% defoliation to initiate pest control is safe, and should be accepted by growers.
Glycine max; pest insect; economic injury level; economic threshold; defoliation
