Managing Sudden Death Syndrome

Identify sudden death syndrome in your soybean fields and learn how to manage this disease.

In this video, Agronomic Sales Representative Shawn Brenneman explains how to spot the symptoms of sudden death syndrome and control the disease in your soybean fields.

When does SDS appear

Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) is a root rot disease caused by a fusarium species, Fusarium virguliforme. SDS loves cold, wet environments in the spring. While the infection takes place early on in the life cycle, we typically don’t see the above-ground symptoms until later in the season, like late-July to August when the plant is in transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. This is when the plants’ defenses are down and they are vulnerable to disease.

What does it look like

The disease, which starts down in the roots, produces a toxin that translocates up the roots to the leaves. This is when we see the visual symptoms of SDS expressed. Infected plants will show yellow speckling and spotting on the leaves and between the veins (interveinal chlorosis), and then becomes dry and brown. As it progresses, the leaves curl and eventually fall off, leaving the petioles (leaf stalks) attached to the stem. 

What can we do? 

●    Reduce free-flowing water in your fields
●    Improve soil drainage
●    Maintain and possibly extend crop rotation; 3 years or greater
●    Use effective seed treatments
●    Manage crop residue
●    Choose seeds with strong genetics and resistance to SDS