Farmers across Illinois are facing an ongoing challenge in managing stem diseases and insect pests that threaten soybean production and yield. A collaborative project led by Dr. Jason Bond and Dr. Ahmad Fakhoury from Southern Illinois University, along with Dr. Nick Seiter from the University of Illinois, continues to investigate new and emerging pests and diseases. Their focus is on threats such as dectes stem borer, soybean gall midge, red crown rot, and stem canker. The findings of this project will help prioritize future research to provide farmers with the best management practices for these issues. 

Stem Diseases: What’s Happening in the Fields? 

Dr. Ahmad Fakhoury is leading the research on soybean stem diseases and provided an update on the progress so far. “Over the winter, we processed samples collected from the fields last year. We isolated potential pathogens from diseased stems and seeds, extracted their DNA, and sequenced the samples to identify the species of the organisms,” he said. “In the coming months, we will begin a meta-analysis of all the data collected over the last two growing seasons, which will allow us to formulate recommendations for farmers.” 

This four-year study has successfully built an extensive collection of soybean stem pathogens, providing a valuable resource for U.S. research on stem and seed diseases. “Based on our preliminary findings, we plan to intensively collect material from select Illinois locations to confirm the impact of certain management practices on the occurrence of stem diseases,” Dr. Fakhoury added.

Photo Credit – Illinois Soybean Association

Insects: Keeping an Eye on Emerging Pests 

While diseases are a primary concern, insects like the dectes stem borer and soybean gall midge also pose a threat to soybean. Dr. Nick Seiter, who is leading the insect pest side of the project, provided an update into 2024 survey results. “Last year’s surveys confirmed the distribution of dectes stem borer within Illinois but also indicated that 2024 was a below-average year for their populations,” Dr. Seiter explained. “We continued to monitor for the soybean gall midge, an invasive pest, but did not find any in Illinois fields.” 

Looking ahead to 2025, the team will focus their research on two sites with known dectes stem borer populations, documenting their phenological development over time. This will help better understand how these pests develop and impact soybean yields in the state. 

What Does This Mean for Farmers? 

Farmers should stay vigilant about these potential threats and consider adjusting their management practices based on the ongoing research. While 2024 was a relatively light year for some pests, the emergence of new pests like the soybean gall midge and the persistence of stem diseases means there is no room for complacency. 

For more details about this Illinois Soybean Checkoff-funded research project, visit the Field Advisor Research Hub.