VIEW ARTICLE

Disease Control and Pest Management

Incidence of Microorganisms in Soybean Seeds Damaged by Stink Bug Feeding. J. S. Russin, Department of Entomology, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803-1710; D. B. Orr, M. B. Layton, and D. J. Boethel. Department of Entomology, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803-1710. Phytopathology 78:306-310. Accepted for publication 18 September 1987. Copyright 1988 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-78-306.

Stink bug feeding damage, seed viability (7-day germination), seed vigor (4-day germination), and microorganism incidence were evaluated in seeds from upper and lower halves of soybean (Glycine max) plants damaged by four stink bug population levels in 1985 (cv. Forrest) and by two levels in 1986 (cv. Centennial). The stink bug complex included Acrosternum hilare, Euschistus spp., and primarily Nezara viridula. In both years, increased stink bug populations resulted in increased percentages of seeds damaged by feeding. Decreases in seed viability and vigor occurred primarily in upper plant halves, where feeding damage was more severe. Incidence of seedborne Fusarium spp. increased with increased amounts of stink bug damage in seeds from both upper and lower plant halves. Seedborne bacteria increased in incidence only in seeds from upper halves. Incidence of seedborne Cercospora kikuchii decreased in response to stink bug damage in upper plant halves. Incidence of seedborne Alternaria spp., Colletotrichum truncatum, and Phomopsis spp. were not influenced by stink bug damage. Studies in 1986 on effects of delayed harvest on stink bug-damaged and nondamaged seeds indicated that delays of up to 6 wk reduced seed viability and vigor and modified microorganism incidence so that the effects of stink bug damage were not detectable.