Tracey Baute, OMAFRA

Since 2005, Ontario has conducted weekly field surveys to determine the status of the two major invasive species threatening soybean production, soybean aphids and soybean rust. In 2008, a new project was started to include the weekly monitoring of all soybean pests and diseases. The number of sites monitored in 2008 was increased to 82 soybean fields (29 rust sentinel plots and 53 “mobile” sites). It was an exceptionally low aphid year compared to other years and other states that did experience record numbers.

Bean leaf beetle appears to be expanding its geographical range in Ontario and is becoming a pest of concern for all of Southern Ontario. Overall foliar leaf disease levels were low in the fields examined in 2008 but white mould damage was obvious in certain fields.

Determining the distribution and corresponding infestation levels of these pests is crucial for effective pest management which in turn, reduces the risk of yield loss for producers. In addition, the development of baseline information can assist in determining the impacts of climatic change in the future. Without an understanding of the pest problems we presently have and at what levels they occur, it would be impossible to determine what the impact of climatic change or changing agricultural practices will have on them.