Soybean stem canker
scouted Oct. 9, 2025
- Scientific Name
- Diaporthe sp.
- Background
- Soybeans in Onslow County were being scouted, and it was observed that 50% of the field had short/stunted plants. The plants initially suffered from water stress and then experienced drought conditions during their reproductive stages. A sample was submitted to the PDIC for diagnosis.
- Conclusion
- One of the issues identified in this field was soybean stem canker, caused by 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 ocurr in patches within 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
