Sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean can be found in fields around the Midwest but still has limited distribution in Ohio. Yield losses associated with SDS in Ohio have been highly variable depending on the timing and severity of the initial infection, subsequent weather conditions, timing of defoliation, and the level of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) infestation in the field.

Symptoms and Signs – Foliar:

The first observed SDS symptoms are often early leaf symptoms, including yellow spots between leaf veins, known as interveinal chlorosis.

These lesions may expand and turn brown as the spots expand between veins, which is called interveinal necrosis. Leaf veins remain green. As the disease progresses, leaves die and prematurely fall from the plant, while petioles remain attached to the stem. Pods and seeds may be aborted.

Foliar symptoms of SDS can resemble those of many other diseases. These symptoms can occur in fields with high levels of inoculum as early as the vegetative stage, but most often occur near the middle pod-fill stages (R3-R4).

Symptoms and Signs – Roots & Stems:

Infected plants can have discolored and decaying roots even if there are no noticeable foliar symptoms of SDS. The woody tissue in the taproot can be brown to dark gray, while the upper portion of stem pith remains white.

Disease Cycle:

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The fungus that causes SDS survives the winter in crop residue and soil. Early in the season, the fungus infects soybean roots, sometimes within a few days of seed germination. Infection is favored by cool, wet soil conditions. The SDS fungus produces toxins that plants transport through their water-conducting vessels (xylem) up to the leaves, which results in foliar symptoms. Typically, these symptoms occur after flowering, but they have been observed during early soybean growth stages on highly susceptible varieties or when conditions are favorable.

Conditions that Favor Disease: Cool, wet field conditions shortly after planting favor early root infections and disease establishment. Frequent or heavy rains midseason can favor early symptoms.  Hot and/or dry conditions in the spring or summer can halt SDS development.

The presence of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) in the same field where SDS is found can increase the severity of SDS symptoms. Therefore, fields with SDS should be tested for the presence of SCN. Research has linked the presence of SCN with higher levels of SDS and increased yield loss. However, SDS can occur independently of SCN, and vice versa. Some crop production practices may also increase the risk of disease development. Fields with poor soil nutrients, low pH, poor drainage, or moderate to severe soil compaction are at higher risk of SDS.

Yield Loss and Impact: Yield losses due to SDS can be highly variable and depend on several factors, including the environment, the timing of symptom development, the susceptibility of a soybean variety to the disease, and the levels of SCN present in the field. SDS can weaken plants and cause premature defoliation — infected plants also may produce fewer and smaller seeds.

Yield losses can be substantial in years when susceptible soybean varieties are planted in cool, wet fields with a history of SDS and SCN. If symptoms develop later in the season, or weather is not conducive for disease development, yield losses can be minimal. Losses are rarely fieldwide since the disease often occurs in patches.  If foliar symptoms appear at or after growth stage R6, yield loss may be minimal.

Management: SDS management strategies include planting soybean varieties with SDS resistance, managing SCN, using effective fungicide seed treatments, improving soil drainage in fields with recurring SDS, rotating crops, avoiding or reducing soil compaction, and maintaining proper pH and fertility levels.

Soybeans throughout the county just don’t look good right now.  Development has been slowed and many fields have areas (sometimes large areas) with a light green or yellowish tint to the beans.  What is causing this yellowing? One possibility is:

Soybean Cyst Nematode

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) remains the most devastating and yield-limiting soybean pathogen in Ohio and North America. SCN can cause over 30% yield reduction with no visible symptoms, therefore, early detection of this pathogen relies on testing your fields to know your SCN numbers!

Symptoms of SCN injury include presence of patches of yellow and stunted soybeans, with more pronounced symptoms in plants under stress and in sandy soils. Infected plants have poorly developed fibrous roots and with fewer Rhizobium nodules. Early in the growing season (6 weeks after planting), close examination of the roots may also reveal small, white to yellow spheres (bodies of female nematodes) attached to the root surface. These females are not much bigger than grains of coarse sugar, and should not be confused with the much larger Rhizobium nodules.

Spring is a good time to sample for SCN. A soil test in spring will reveal if SCN is present and if so, at what levels. If you are planning to participate in an on-farm trial that requires soil sampling, a subsample can be used for SCN testing. Additionally, if you planted corn, a soil sample from that field will reveal if you have SCN but most importantly, how much SCN. Knowing your SCN numbers will help you determine the best management strategy.    

With funding from the Ohio Soybean Council and promoting the mission of The SCN Coalition, we will process up to TWO soil samples, per grower, to be tested for SCN, free of charge.

Download and complete this Soil Sample Submission Form and mail your samples to:

OSU Soybean Pathology and Nematology Lab 

Attn: Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Ph.D.

110 Kottman Hall

2021 Coffey Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43210

lopez-nicora.1@osu.edu