It is never too early to start thinking about planting, and researchers at Syngenta want to make sure soybean growers are not caught off guard by sudden death syndrome.
It is one of the top yield-robbing soybean diseases out there. Researchers say fighting it can be challenging since the infection happens to the roots after planting, and producers do not know anything is wrong before it is too late. They say having a plan is key and it all begins by looking back at the prior season.
“What were my fields like the last time they were in a soybean rotation? Did I have SDS in those fields? If I did, then I start to frame up that plan around variety selection. It’s absolutely critical. The varieties themselves need to have an internal defense, if you will, against SDS. They need to be good soybean cyst nematode beans. Having cyst and SDS, the cyst nematodes exacerbate the expression of the SDS, or infection rather. Those are really the keys. So, understanding what the pressure of sudden death syndrome was like in my field, and then choosing genetics, and then finally marrying the genetic defense with a seed care product like our Saltro Fungicide,” said Blake Miller.
Another factor to consider is when soybeans are planted each year. They say planting season is earlier than ever in the Midwest and the proper protection is needed to prevent crop infection.
The Soy Checkoff continues investing in research to protect soybean quality and yield. One project underway is helping farmers screen for resistance against sudden death syndrome.
USB Farmer-Leader, Susan Watkins spoke with RFD-TV’s own Janet Adkison about the research being conducted for soybean farmers, the type of research that is being done to alleviate it, and what soybean farmers can use to control and mitigate the disease in their soybeans.
