Development of preliminary economic thresholds for an integrated pest management system for soybeans in Java

Abstract

Two field trials were conducted for the purposes of comparing various soybean pest management schemes and setting preliminary economic thresholds that could be used by farmers as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) programme. Both trials tested the same four treatments: (1) a pest management scheme that followed the type of plan that many farmers in Java use, (2) and (3) two schemes utilizing different economic thresholds set by researchers, and (4) an untreated control. The pest management schemes are compared regarding various aspects, including yield and profitability. In both trials the plans did not differ significantly in profitability; however, in each trial the same threshold scheme had the highest mean values for both yield and profitability. Therefore, a pest control system based on this threshold scheme is recommended, with some refinements in certain threshold levels for specific pest guilds where the trials show refinements to be appropriate. It is advised that farmers use the threshold levels recommended here as starting points, and then make adjustments according to the soybean variety used, abundance of natural enemies present, economic factors, etc.