Testing biofungicides against white mold in soybean crops – an economic analysis

Description

The aim of this project initiated by CÉROM (Centre de recherche sur les grains) is to test the efficacy of four biofungicides against Sclerotinia in soybeans. An untreated control and a chemical fungicide will serve as controls. A two-year trial (2018‒2019) will be conducted in an artificially inoculated field at CÉROM and in a grower’s field with a history of major infestations. The efficacy of the biofungicides will be evaluated using a disease severity index, the number of apothecia produced, crop yield, and post-harvest grain quality. The agroenvironmental economics team at IRDA is in charge of estimating the cost-effectiveness of the tested products. The project will yield a biocontrol strategy that is effective from both an agronomic and economic point of view.

Objective(s)

• Identify biofungicides that provide robust, cost-effective control of white mold in soybeans
• Evaluate the effects of biofungicide use on seedlings with various inter-row spacing on disease incidence and soybean yield and quality
• Compare the efficacy of biofungicides incorporated into the soil before seeding to biofungicides sprayed on the foliage
• Gauge the economic impact of using biofungicides in soybean crops