The Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in your soybean field may be trying to tell you something!  The increased incidence in SDS statewide this year is due to a lot of factors, including the cool, wet summer we have had.  However, keep in mind that although SDS is caused by the soil borne fungal pathogen Fusarium […]

Nematodes have been called the “hidden enemy” of soybean because these soilborne, microscopic root pathogens can go unnoticed in a field until yield losses become severe. The number of soybean fields showing visible damage due to nematodes has increased dramatically during the last few years statewide, and most of the time the root-knot nematode is […]

The 2014 season may be, as Yogi Berra said, déjà vu all over again. Although southern soybean stem canker has been a rare occurrence in Arkansas for the past several years, the disease is still around. Last week a few plants with stem canker were found in a research plot on the Rice Research and […]

Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRSR) of soybean is a disease that can be a significant problem in wet years such as we are having this year.  Cooler-than-normal temperatures, frequent rainfall, and poorly-drained soil favor this disease.  PRSR is caused by the oomycete Phytophthora sojae, a soilborne plant pathogen that can survive for years in […]

Nematodes are common pests in many soybean fields in the state.  Sometimes called the “hidden enemy”, root-knot, soybean cyst, and reniform nematodes can be costly if they are ignored.  Because they are not visible, damage caused by nematodes  is often overlooked.  Nematode are microscopic root-parasites, and the symptoms they cause, including plant stunting, yellowing of […]

Several soilborne soybean diseases occur in Arkansas that may look somewhat similar upon casual observation.  It is important, however, to accurately distinguish which is which because yield loss potential, as well as disease management and prevention may be radically different.  The following is a comparison of symptoms associated with southern soybean stem canker (SC), sudden […]

Each year, numerous soybean varieties are commercially available to growers in Arkansas. However, only a limited number of soybean varieties have been tested in Arkansas at April plantings. Yield performance in early (April) plantings varies according to location, adaptability to soils, relative maturity, lodging, shattering potential, disease and nematode resistance, as well as herbicide and […]

Fusarium Wilt of Cotton. Fusarium wilt (FW) is more visible this summer than it has been for several years in Arkansas cotton fields.   FW is a disease of the vascular system caused by a soilborne fungal pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum) that survives for long periods (several years) in cotton fields.   This disease may be responsible for […]

Bacterial blight, a disease that has not been of economic significance in Arkansas for years, has been detected in numerous cotton fields in northeastern Arkansas, as well as in some fields in the southeastern part of the state and some areas of Mississippi over the last two weeks.  The disease has been confirmed in Desha […]

Fusarium Wilt of Cotton. Fusarium wilt (FW) is more visible this summer than it has been for several years in Arkansas cotton fields.   FW is a disease of the vascular system caused by a soilborne fungal pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum) that survives for long periods (several years) in cotton fields.   This disease may be responsible for […]