Which Stem Diseases and Insects Should I Be Concerned About in My Soybean Fields?

Soybean Stem Pests: Survey, Impact and Education

Continuing work already underway across Illinois’ soybean fields, this project aims to identify new and emerging stem disease and insect pests that negatively impact soybean production and yield. Pests of particular concern include dectes stem borer, soybean gall midge, red crown rot and stem canker. Researchers will use the insights to prioritize future research that will help determine best management practices.

WHY THIS RESEARCH IS IMPORTANT

  • Not all soybean stem pests and diseases are well documented throughout the state, nor are their symptomology, yield impact, alternative hosts and conducive conditions well understood.
  • This multi-year research project is using a combination of approaches to assess perceived and actual occurrence and impact throughout the state. Grower surveys are helping gauge presence and population levels of stem pests and diseases. Samples are being collected from fields and evaluated within a lab environment to accurately identify pests and pathogens, as well as document symptoms.

HOW THIS RESEARCH BENEFITS THE FARMER

  • This project will inform farmers of the most prevalent pathogens and insect pests impacting soybean production fields across Illinois. It will also identify potential management, environmental and geographic factors that affect their incidence and distribution.
  • By better understanding these pathogens and pests and the factors that affect their incidence, researchers and Illinois Extension staff can help farmers identify management practices that may minimize the impact of these pathogens and pests on yield.

RESEARCH TEAM

  • Dr. Jason Bond, Professor of Plant Pathology, SIU
  • Dr. Nicholas Seiter, Assistant Professor & Field Crops Entomologist, UIUC
  • Dr. Ahmad Fakhoury, Professor of Plant Pathology, SIU
  • Ashley Decker, Senior Research Associate, UIUC
  • Danillo Leite, PhD Student, SIU

TRIAL LOCATIONS

  • Statewide

About the Lead Researchers

Dr. Jason Bond
Professor of Plant Pathology
Southern Illinois University (SIU)
618-453-4309
jbond@siu.edu

Dr. Nicholas Seiter
Assistant Professor & Field Crops Entomologist
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
812-593-4317
nseiter@illinois.edu

Project Updates

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ARE YOU A FARMER OR ADVISOR?

If you’re a farmer or advisor, we invite you to take our Soybean Production Concerns Survey linked below to help guide future ISA research efforts. We also encourage you to contact us below with specific production challenge research ideas.

ARE YOU A RESEARCHER?

If you’re a researcher interested in working with ISA on a project, we encourage you to contact us with your ideas. The RFP will open in early March. Contact us below to be added to the mailing list for more information.