Sept. 23, 2010

The level of sudden death syndrome (SDS) in Iowa and some other states in the North Central Region this year has been a cause for concern. We also have observed this disease in Nebraska, but it hasn’t been as severe here as for states to the east. As producers move to earlier planting dates, we’re seeing more of the disease. Sudden death syndrome is a soil-borne fungal disease that produces a very resistant survival structure that is not affected by crop rotation.

Recent research at Iowa State University showed that the SDS pathogen survives well on corn kernels on the soil surface as well. This is relevant to Nebraska producers who have had SDS in their fields and experienced late season hail with grain loss. These kernels could serve as a site for this and potentially other fungal pathogens to overwinter. As with many plant diseases, the main management action for SDS is selecting resistant varieties. Correct diagnosis is critical as this disease can look like other common stem and root rots of soybean.
 

For more information on this disease I recommend the following articles:

• Good Harvest in Corn Should Help Manage Soybean SDS by X.B. Yang and S.S. Navi, ISU Department of Plant Pathology
• Answers to Questions about Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome in Iowa 2010 by Alison Robertson and Leonor Leandro, ISU Department of Plant Pathology

Loren Giesler
Extension Plant Pathologist