Effect of Different Dates of Sowing and Spacings on Stem Feeders of Soybean

Results of pooled averages revealed that the crop sown on 21^st July with spacing of 45 x 5cm or 45 x 10cm proved promising to manage girdle beetle and stem fly damage on soybean. The crop sown on 15^th June recorded the highest per cent damage of girdle beetle and stem fly. Insect pest complex in soybean(Glycine max) causes yield upto 24%. Amongst various insect pests attacking this crop, girdle beetle(Oberiopsis brevis) and stem fly(Melanagromyza sojae) are the most serious. Patil (2002), reported that soybean was attacked by 48 phytophagous insect species, among these the seedling borers, M. Sojae, zehnter, obereopsis brevis swed, leaf eating caterpillar S. litura (Fab.) and pod borer, Cydia ptychora Meyrick were key pests during kharif, whereas, leaf miner, A. Modicella, white fly, Bemisia tabaci, Genn and leaf hopper, Ambrasca biguttula biguttula ishida were major pests during summer. This study was undertaken to ascertain ideal sowing period that escapes the incidence of important insect pests, particularly of the girdle beetle and stem fly. Soybean is a major source of edible oil (20%) and high quality protein (40%). It is a rich source of amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The luxuriant crop growth, soft and succulent foliage attracts many insects and provides unlimited source of food, space and shelter. Soybean crop is reported to be attacked by about 350 species of insects in many parts of the world.