WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Red crown rot continues to spread across U.S. soybean fields, raising concerns about potential yield losses.
Syngenta agronomist Matt Geiger says growers need to be aware of the disease’s growing threat before it’s too late to take action.
“Red crown rot was actually found in 35 new counties across eight states, with two first-time states being Iowa and Alabama. Simply put, because it can be so economically impactful, it can cause 50-ish bushel yield hits from this pathogen. If it catches you by surprise, you can have a field that should have made 70 to 80, and it can average in the 30s. It’s one of those pathogens that you’ve got to monitor your fields and know if you have the pathogen or not, or know if the pathogen is in your area because it is a preventable issue at this point. We have treatment options available, but you need to know that ahead of time because once you see the pathogen, it’s already too late.”
Geiger says red crown rot can resemble other soybean diseases, including sudden death syndrome, making field monitoring important for early detection and prevention.
