Success StoryResearch results on control of mollusks provided management solutions to soybean farmers



Research results on control of mollusks provided management solutions to soybean farmers

Author: Raul Villanueva

Planning Unit: Entomology

Major Program: Grains

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

I am studying mollusk damage in soybean since 2017. Mollusk attacks were very rare then; however, they have become more frequent and destructive in recent years. Irreversible damage occurs when small seedlings are attacked, consequently soybean stand can be considerably reduced, and replanting is the only solution. Replanting brings about drawbacks such as harvest delay and economical losses. I developed management practices that include the damage caused by mollusks, scouting for them, and preventive use of molluscicides. A well-known farmer (who grows a large soybean acreage in western KY region) told me in 2021 “if with your recommendation I am expending $20/A, and making $12-14/bu, this is a profitable investment”. This farmer and some others in the central and western region kept controlling mollusk preventively in 2021 and in 2022. In 2021, we trained an undergraduate student from Murray State University on evaluation of predatory ground beetles, which is another component of the integrated mollusk management. Furthermore, as my applied field research in the UK-REC at Princeton continues we are now evaluating a set of different molluscicides in order to provide further alternatives to soybean farmers. This study is also helping with the management of an snail outbreak in soybeans.Check for morei information in the following link: https://kentuckypestnews.wordpress.com/2022/06/28/snail-outbreak-during-the-drought-and-hot-conditions-affect-soybeans/






Stories by Raul Villanueva


Effective Control of Sugarcane Aphid by Sorghum growers in 2016 and 2017

about 5 years ago by Raul Villanueva

Sweet Sorghum Farmers in Trig Co. and many other areas of KY were able to control the sugarcane aphi... Read More


Engaging elementary students into horticulture with cooperation of master gardeners and through multidisciplinary approaches in rural KY

about 5 years ago by Raul Villanueva

This is an program developed and coordinated by Dr. Zenaida Viloria. In this effort teaching was con... Read More


Stories by Entomology


Effective Control of Sugarcane Aphid by Sorghum growers in 2016 and 2017

about 5 years ago by Raul Villanueva

Sweet Sorghum Farmers in Trig Co. and many other areas of KY were able to control the sugarcane aphi... Read More


Engaging elementary students into horticulture with cooperation of master gardeners and through multidisciplinary approaches in rural KY

about 5 years ago by Raul Villanueva

This is an program developed and coordinated by Dr. Zenaida Viloria. In this effort teaching was con... Read More