We are in search of grower fields with symptomatic Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) plants for us to sample.
What is Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS)?
It is a soil-borne fungal disease caused by Fusarium virguliforme. Infection and colonization begin shortly after planting and the pathogen produces a toxin that causes above-ground symptoms later in the season.
What are the symptoms?
Root symptoms include necrosis and above-ground symptoms include interveinal leaf chlorosis and necrosis (Figure 1). Under the right environmental conditions, these symptoms appear as early as the start of flowering.
Figure 1. Sudden Death Syndrome foliar symptoms in soybeans. Photo from Plant Pathology, K-State Research and Extension.
What are the environmental conditions?
SDS is observed more when planted in cool, wet soils followed by wet conditions at the beginning of flowering.
What are the management options?
Seed treatment, resistant cultivars, planting date, tillage, and crop rotation.
If you are willing to participate or can recommend someone, please contact us:
Madison Kessler, Plant Pathology - Graduate Student
mkessler@ksu.edu
Rodrigo Onofre, Extension Plant Pathology Specialist
onofre@ksu.edu
785-477-0171
Tags: soybeans Sudden Death Syndrome SDS