Loren Giesler - Extension Plant Pathologist

Loren Giesler

Dr. Loren Giesler became head of the Department of Plant Pathology Sept. 1, 2018, and is no longer conducting Extension programs in soybean pathology.

Twitter: @MulletManLG
Education
PH.D., University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1998

Dr. Giesler provides statewide leadership for extension plant pathology programs in soybeans and turfgrass diseases. He is the team leader for the Extension Plant Pathology Team which is a Nebraska group of extension Plant Pathologist responsible for disease management programs throughout Nebraska.  His main program focus is in soybeans and has included research projects on Bean Pod Mottle Virus, Soybean Cyst Nematode, Foliar Diseases and seedling diseases including Phytophthora root and stem rot.  He conducts disease management studies on soybean to evaluate the efficacy of soybean seed treatment fungicides and foliar products.  He served as a national leader for identification of soybean rust, coordinator for national soybean rust sentinel monitoring efforts from 2003 through 2012, and toured South America rust fungicide efficacy trials in 2004 and 2005. Dr. Giesler is currently working on several studies on soybean cyst nematode to improve management programs for this significant pest of soybean.  Through continued support of the Nebraska Soybean Board, a free soil sampling program for SCN is operated in his program that provides soybean farmers a way to determine if SCN is present in their fields.

Disclosure
Soil Sample

Quality SCN Samples are Part Science, Part Art

November 9, 2017
Taking quality soil samples to test for SCN is part science and part art. The science is in how the samples are taken, while the art is in where they're taken to capture the best snapshot of SCN conditions. You'll want to consider these recommendations for getting the most from your SCN sampling this fall.

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White mold in soybean

White Mold More Common This Year in Soybean

August 24, 2017
The increased levels of white mold that growers are finding in soybean this year are likely due to cool wet conditions at bloom, when the initial infection actually occurred.

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Sudden deaht syndrome in soybean
Sudden death syndrome in soybean

Sudden Death Syndrome Starting to Show up in Soybeans

August 16, 2017
Sudden death syndrome often appears in small patches of a field and can be confused with injury from brown stem rot. This story and two field videos examine SDS symptoms and how to differentiate it from other diseases. Once confirmed in a field, management begins with seed selection for the next crop.

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soybean stem canker

Soybean Stem Canker Uncommon, but Found in Southeast Nebraska

August 10, 2017
Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Loren Giesler shares a short field video on identifying soybean stem canker.

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Frogeye leaf spot

Frogeye Leaf Spot in Soybeans in Eastern Nebraska

July 27, 2017
Frogeye leaf spot is occurring in Nebraska soybeans, particularly in the eastern third of the state. While some fields have minor levels, some have significant levels and a fungicide treatment may be needed.

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Wilted, stunted phytophthora
Figure 1. Wilted and stunted soybean plant due to phytophthora in an otherwise healthy field. (Photo taken in Hall County by Sarah Schlund)

Phytophthora Root and Stem Rot Developing in Soybeans

July 27, 2017
As conditions heated up the last two weeks, the fungus causing phytophthora root and stem rot became active in irrigated fields and those fields that received significant rain over the past couple weeks. Growers are encouraged to scout for this disease and, if found, manage through seed selection and treatment for the next crop.

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Phytophthora root and stem rot

Conditions Favor Early Season Soybean Diseases Again This Year

June 6, 2017
Cool, wet conditions in May may be contributing to soybean seedling injury from disease. Scouting is recommended to identify diseases and differentiate injury from that caused by herbicides when determining potential stand loss.

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Center pivot irrigated soybeans
Management in a successful soybean-after-soybean cropping system may require growers to make some slight adjustments in their practices, including irrigation, seed selection, and pest management.

Planting Soybean after Soybean (Part 2): In-Season Management Considerations

April 13, 2017

In Part 1 of this article, we look at considerations for planting soybean after soybean. In this article, Part 2, we share considerations for in-season management.

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