Soybean stem canker
scouted July 24, 2024
- Scientific Name
- Diaporthe sp.
- Background
- Soybeans in Beaufort County were scouted and 5% of the field was observed to be affected by localized wilting. Site is dry. These plants come from areas of a field that were likely compacted by equipment traffic predominantly.
- Conclusion
- The cause was identified as soybean stem canker, caused by the fungus of the genus Diaporthe. The first symptoms are often dead plants with dried leaves that remain attached to the petioles late in the season. The diseased plants usually occur in patches within the field. Lesions start out as small reddish-brown spots at the base of a branch and then expand to form sunken cankers. In some cases, it can cause top dieback by forming a dark brown canker on the upper internodes which kills only the top of the plant. Unfortunately, there are limited management practices to implement as it is best managed with resistant varieties and crop rotation to non-host crops such as corn or wheat, as the pathogen survives in soybean residue. There is no data currently on fungicide efficacy for management.
- Resources
