Episode 25 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFxeLxrmfI8
In Episode 25, Dr. Chia Lin, a researcher with the Rothenbuhler Honey Bee Research Laboratory at the Ohio State University, discusses new projects related to monitoring insects in soybean fields.
Dr. Lin’s research revolves around advancing management of agricultural landscapes to improve the health of honey bees and other pollinators.
One of the prime focuses of her research is to investigate the mutual relationship between honey bees and soybean plants. During flowering, soybean plants provide an abundant nectar resource to the honey bees, and pollination by honey bees could potentially improve the yield of soybeans.
One of the research focuses of the lab has been to identify an effective method that can document bee activities in the field. They have tested many different methods such as observation, netting, and pin traps. Currently, they are testing an audio recorder to document bee activities in the soybean fields during bloom (Figure 1). This technique could also be extended to observe other insects in the soybean field, which would provide more useful tools for farmers. Hopefully, in the near future, these technologies will lead to better management strategies for producers.
If you would like to read more about using the recording technology to track honey bees, please use the following link https://entomologytoday.org/2024/04/16/honey-bees-soybean-pollination-listen-buzz- bioacoustic-monitoring/
What’s happening in the battle for the belt fields across Ohio?
Western
At the Western location, both planting date one and two of soybean and corn are finished maturing (R8) and near harvest (Figure 2.). Planting date three in the soybeans are at R7 (beginning maturity) and the third planting date in the corn is at R6 (physiological maturity) for the majority of the relative maturities. Planting date four is at R6 (full seed) in the soybeans but they are dropping their leaves. While planting date four of corn is still at R5 (dent). Planting date five of the soybeans are at R5 (beginning seed) but were close to R6, and the fifth planting date of the corn is R4 (dough).
Northwest
At the Northwest location, all soybeans are at R6 except for planting date five, which is at R5. Planting date one is beginning to change color but is not very far along in drying down. The corn stages are a little more uneven and seem to have slowed down. Planting date one and two are at R5, planting date three is at R4, and planting date four and five are at R3 (milk).
Wooster
For the Wooster location, planting date one soybeans are at R7, planting date two, three, and four are at R6, and planting date five remains at R5. In the corn planting date one, two, and three are at R5, while planting date four and five are at R4. This location does not seem to be maturing as quickly as the Western location, though the planting dates are more similar. This is likely due to the drought conditions and growing degree day accumulation.
The summary of locations, last week’s weather, planting dates, GDDs and stages is presented in Table 1.
