INFESTATION OF SOYBEAN WITH 2 SPECIES OF POD-SUCKING BUGS

Experiments on artificial infestation of soybean with pod-sucking bugs showed that Riptortus dentipes caused more damage to the plant than d id Nezara, viridula. The density of four Insects per plant used was hi gh enough to significantly damage the plant. The reproductive developm ental stages of the plant defined as R3, R4 and R5 were sensitive to t he pod-sucking bugs studied. Plots infested with R. dentipes adults su ffered 72% pod damage compared to 44% pod damage in plots infested wit h N. viridula. Riptortus dentipes significantly affected the physiolog y of the plant and reduced grain yield and grain quality. The results also showed that there is potential for biocontrol of pod-sucking bugs .