Do You Grow Soybeans Next to Woodlands?

Robert Koch Assistant Professor, Dept. of Entomology and Marcella Windmuller-Campione Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forestry Resources at the University of Minnesota are looking for soybean growers in central and southern Minnesota to participate in a research study on soybean aphid population levels and buckthorn density.

If you have 10 or more acres of woodlands or forests next to one of your soybean fields they are asking for permission to sample both the woodlands and the soybean fields. Field crews will set up forestry inventory plots in the woodlands to gain information on the overstory, regenerating seedlings, saplings, and buckthorn density. Field crews will use transects to sample soybean aphid populations 2 or 3 times during the growing season.

The goal of the research is to test the relationship between buckthorn density, buckthorn proximity, and soybean aphid populations during the growing season. Previous research in Ontario and Minnesota demonstrated a relationship between proximity of buckthorn and early season aphid populations. It has not been determined how buckthorn density affects early season aphid populations.

If you have a soybean field next to a woodland and would consider participating in the research project contact Dr. Marcella Windmuller-Campione at 612-624-3699 or email mwind@umn.edu.