The environment in which a soybean variety grows is extremely influential upon the plant's development and yield. Environmental stress occurring at key stages of soybean development will reduce yields. A good soybean root system makes a big difference in plant health and yield. It anchors the plant in the soil, but also absorbs and transports nutrients to the plant itself.
Shawn Conley, University of Wisconsin-Extension soybean specialist, says a healthy root system should be wide, increasing in the number of roots and not stressed.
Conley says another known is that soybeans thrive in soils that are well-watered, but not in heavily saturated soils or in drought conditions. In a normal year, plants can partially compensate for pathogens if they have good roots.
Soybean fields and potential pathogens should be managed properly to reduce any potential yield loss.
"If there is a poor root system and drought occurs, that could be devastating," he adds. "Then, a yield loss will only be accentuated."
Soil type is a determining factor in the various pathogens a farmer might see in soybean plants.
Regardless of soil, many farmers in the state typically see challenges from the soybean cyst nematode, whose eggs live in the soil.
Free soil testing is available from the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board to check for the presence of SCN. Early-season sampling helps farmers understand the risk for the present year's crop, but also the next year. Visit www. coolbean.info to learn more about the free testing available to Wisconsin farmers.
In addition to the SCN, the most destructive pathogens to soybean roots include the fusarium and pythium species, Phytophthora sojae and Rhizoctonia solani. The pythium and phytophthora cause a soft, wet rot of the seed or seedling tissue. Rhizoctonia appear as dry, dark lesions just about at the soil line on the root.
Conley recommends choosing seed with good genetic resistance. After picking a resistant seed, Conley says a variety of seed treatments are available for farmers growing soybeans.
The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is a grassroots, farmer-led organization that leads efforts in soybean research and the expansion of soybean market opportunities. Established in 1983 as part of a Wisconsin-mandated checkoff, the board works every day to maximize the profitability of Wisconsin's 11,000 soybean growers. It builds soybean demand, creates new uses for soybeans, and focuses on soybean disease research. The Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) represents soybean farmer-members to positively impact regulatory and legislative issues on a local, state and national level.4.29.2015