A soybean disease that is new to farmers in the central corn belt has been causing issues in soybean fields this growing season.
Red crown rot is a fungal disease in soybeans that has attacked southern soybean fields for decades. Unfortunately for midwestern farmers, the disease has started to migrate farther north in recent years.
That is Agrigold agronomist Brett Leahr who says that there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the fungal disease.
Red crown rot has never been officially identified in Iowa, but red crown rot was first found in the Midwest in Illinois in 2018. Brett Leahr says he has encountered the disease several times in Illinois this year.
Leahr says that red crown rot is a disease that thrives on moisture.
For those unfamiliar with red crown rot, Leahr says that the symptoms of the disease can look very similar to sudden death syndrome. However, he says there are some telltale indications of red crown rot.
Leahr says that field scouting and documentation are the best measures to fight against red crown rot while research continues on the disease.
Leahr advises farmers that detect red crown rot in fields – or think it may be present – should work with a crop advisor, extension specialist or their AgriGold agronomist to confirm the diagnosis and create a management plan for the future.
