Sequential Sampling Plans for Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Soybean Crops With Insecticide Applications Using...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Entomology
• Pest Management

Background:

• Thrips pose a significant threat to soybean crops, necessitating effective pest management strategies.
• Chemical control, primarily through insecticides applied via tractor or airplane, is the main approach for managing thrips in soybeans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate sequential sampling plans for thrips in soybean fields.
• To compare sampling plans based on insecticide application methods (tractor vs. airplane).

Main Methods:

• Data collection across 56 soybean fields (20 ha each).
• Determination and validation of sequential sampling plan parameters (m0, m1, S, h0, h1) for both application methods.
• Evaluation of sampling effort reduction compared to conventional methods.

Main Results:

• Specific lower (m0) and upper (m1) limits were defined for tractor (m0=1.72, m1=3.43) and airplane (m0=2.27, m1=4.53) applications.
• Sequential sampling plan parameters (S, h0, h1) were established for each application method.
• Correct pest control decisions were achieved with a maximum of 10 samples, reducing sampling effort by over 87%.

Conclusions:

• Sequential sampling plans are feasible and advantageous for integrated pest management of thrips in soybean crops.
• These plans significantly reduce sampling effort and improve decision-making efficiency for pest control.