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Soybean disease pressure intensifies

Disease pressure is intensifying across Midwestern soybean fields.

AJ Woodyard with BASF says it’s not surprising given the amount of moisture coupled with a cool start to the growing season.

“I’ve gotten reports from multiple geographies already of early Septoria. It’s not too surprising there because it’s a moderate temperature (disease), and when you’ve got plenty of leaf wetness you tend to drive Septoria.”

Also called Brown Spot, Septoria is the most common foliar disease in soybeans.

Woodyard tells Brownfield it can be managed with a fungicide.

“Another one that I’ve already seen a fair amount of is bacterial blight. It’s another cool, wet weather disease. And if you’re in areas that are getting some heat you may see it slow down. But in areas that stay cool, bacterial blight is there.”

He says white mold could be a problem later this summer in soybean fields with dense canopies.  And Woodyard mentions frogeye leaf spot and Sudden Death Syndrome as potential threats moving into August.