Soybean farmers in Illinois are facing a new challenge as cases of red crown rot have been reported in recent weeks. The issue, previously uncommon in the area, has raised concerns about soybean crop health.
Carl Bradley, a plant pathologist from the University of Kentucky, highlighted the spread of red crown rot from the Southern U.S. into parts of Illinois, southern Indiana, and Missouri. This disease, caused by a soil-borne fungus, first appeared in Pike County, Illinois, in 2018, and its incidence has continued to grow.
Red crown rot manifests through chlorosis and necrosis of leaves, coupled with reddish discoloration of the lower stem. Distinctive spherical features also emerge on affected soy plants. While the disease can lead to yield loss, current cases are mostly limited to specific areas within fields.
Effective seed treatments, including the fungicide Saltro, offer protection against red crown rot. Notably, the risk is higher in later-planted and double-crop soybean fields.
Corn rootworms have also surfaced as a concern. Nick Seiter, a field crop entomologist at U of I Extension, advised vigilance against corn rootworms, especially in continuous corn areas. Crop rotations usually mitigate rootworm issues, but cases of resistance to below-ground traits have raised the need for insecticides in corn-on-corn scenarios.
As Illinois soybean farmers navigate these emerging challenges, staying informed and implementing appropriate management strategies is crucial to ensuring healthy and productive crops.
Photo Credit: istock-ds70
Categories: Illinois, Crops, Soybeans