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Sudden Death Syndrome a threat to Upper Midwest soybeans

Sudden Death Syndrome continues to be a problem for soybean growers in the Upper Midwest.

Peterson Farms Seed agronomist Rick Swenson says the plant disease is progressing north.

“We’ve now seen SDS through the middle part of Minnesota, stretching almost (to) northern Minnesota and even into North Dakota here the last couple years. And I saw it in a few more fields again this year.”

He tells Brownfield cool, wet soils for two to four weeks after planting are conducive to SDS infection.

“We’re working with germplasm to make sure we’ve got the right genetics in there for some resistance (to SDS).”

Swenson says other ways to lessen the threat of SDS are delaying planting until soils are warmer, avoiding compacted areas, and crop rotation.