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Red Crown Rot awareness increasing in Illinois

The outreach agronomist for the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) says more of the state’s farmers are finding red crown rot in their fields.

Stephanie Porter tells Brownfield…

“I wouldn’t say it’s spread.”  She says, “I think it’s been here. It’s just a matter of people are becoming more aware now. Last year, I think, a lot of people thought we were crying wolf, when in actuality it’s here and I think the longer that it’s here, the worse it gets.”

She says the disease can have serious impacts on soybean yields.

“Some of the counties that it’s been in like Pike, as well as Madison counties, it’s very well established there and spread across some fields.”  She says, “We’re starting to see a lot of establishment near here in Decatur, as well as a little bit south of Decatur, and just recently it popped up near our home farm (Christian County).  So, it could be anywhere.”

She says that’s why ISA and the University of Illinois plant clinic are offering free testing to any farmers who suspect their field is infected.

“They are looking for fields where he can see if red crown rot appears to be the same kind of isolate across the state,” she says.

Porter says ISA is also funding extensive new research into the emerging disease.

A link to learn more, and submit samples for testing, can be found at HERE.

Brownfield spoke with Porter at a recent ISA Field Talk event at the Farm Progress Show site in Decatur.

AUDIO: Stephanie Porter – Illinois Soybean Association

Photo courtesy of Illinois Soybean Associaton