Soil Testing

Microscopic fungal pathogens
This photo illustrates growth differences of two fungal pathogens and how they are identified from the Disease Index. Characteristic hyphal growth in culture of Aphanymyces cochliodes (right) and Rhizoctonia solani (left) emerging from infected seedlings plated at the same time in the plant pathology lab.

Soil Disease Index, Tool for Managing Sugarbeet Diseases, Available for Growers

December 13, 2021
Since 2003, the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center has offered a pre-plant soil test to producers who need to identify soilborne sugarbeet pathogens in fields that will be planted to sugarbeets.

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Soil probe

Soil Sampling for Better Fertilization Decisions

December 3, 2019
Recommendations for collecting soil samples to ensure the quality results needed for good management decisions about fertilizer, manure, and lime application rates.

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wilting sugar beet seedling
Figure 1. Wilting symptoms in seedling sugar beet caused by Rhizoctonia root and crown rot. Soil testing and using a disease index developed at the university's Panhandle Research and Extension Center can help identify high risk fields before planting. (Photos by Bob Harveson)

Creating a Soil Disease Index for Nebraska Sugar Beet

December 13, 2017
Soil testing and a disease index developed at the university's Panhandle Research and Extension Center can help growers identify rhizoctonia risk levels of fields before they're planted to sugar beets.

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