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rows of green soybeans in farm field

K-State plant pathologist Chris Little continues to research ways to combat a soilborne disease in soybeans known as sudden death syndrome. | Download this photo.

Research continues to uncover ways to combat sudden death syndrome in soybeans

K-State plant pathologist outlines effective management practices

Dec. 16, 2021

By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University plant pathologist says researchers and producers need to work together to control a soilborne disease in soybeans that can rob that crop of yields.

“Sudden death syndrome is a soilborne disease of soybean that affects the roots,” said K-State’s Chris Little.

Little said the symptoms of sudden death syndrome can be seen above ground as chlorosis, a yellowing of normally green leaves due to a lack of chlorophyll. Often the symptoms will appear in the field after rainfall, or in saturated soils.

“It's really a root pathogen that lives in the soil then attacks the roots, colonizes the roots early on, and then begins to make a toxin that moves through the plant and causes those above-ground symptoms that many folks have seen,” Little said.

According to Little, sudden death syndrome cannot be eradicated, so control methods need to be utilized.

He recommends having the soil tested for populations of the soybean cyst nematode to make sure that the proper resistance is being used for the nematode, which may also help keep sudden death syndrome from attacking the soybean plants since both diseases can occur in the same field.

“You can check with your seed provider and try to get some information about the seed selections that you make,” Little said. “Make sure that you've got some good tolerance or resistance in that material.”

He added that different seed companies may use opposite scales to measure resistance, so for some companies the highest number may be the best, while for other companies the lowest number may be the best. “Make sure you check the correct number and know what it is representing,” Little said.

Proper nutrition might be another way to avoid the disease. “Phosphorus amendment really has a positive role in reducing the severity of sudden death syndrome symptoms, and also can increase yield,” Little said.

Little said wheat and sorghum are effective crops to use in rotation, since those are not hosts of the sudden death syndrome fungus. Corn is another option, but the fungus can survive on corn stubble to a slight degree, according to Little.

Researchers are also studying the use of cover crops to understand their effectiveness in reducing sudden death syndrome.

“Sudden death syndrome remains a research interest at Kansas State University, but producers need to do their part to stay on top of this too,” Little said.

At a glance

K-State plant pathologist Chris Little advises soybean growers to get a soil test and provide good nutrition to avoid sudden death syndrome in their crop.

Website

K-State Department of Plant Pathology

Notable quote

“Sudden death syndrome remains a research interest at Kansas State University, but producers need to do their part to stay on top of this too."

— Chris Little, plant pathologist, K-State Research and Extension

Source

Chris Little
785-532-1395
crlittle@ksu.edu

Written by

Shelby Varner
srvarner@ksu.edu

 

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.